By: Victor Menendez
BROCKPORT, N.Y. - Brockport Golden Eagles football fell in dramatic fashion to the Cortland Red Dragons on Saturday. A late field goal from senior kicker Mike Baloga powered the Red Dragons to their fourth consecutive E8 title.
"I think overall we played well," Brockport sophomore quarterback Ben Gocella said. "[Keeping up with No. 2 ranked Cortland] is definitely not something that should be put over our heads, but in our minds we believe we could've and should've won that game, so it's just unfortunate."
Gocella went 15-for-32 on the day passing, throwing for 236 yards, three touchdowns and an interception. Cortland senior quarterback Zac Boyes went 32-for-51 passing, accumulating 367 yards and one touchdown along with one pick.
"Played well but definitely still left some big plays out there," Gocella said. "That falls on me with my reads out there."
The Golden Eagles jumped out to an early 7-0 lead. On their first drive Gocella connected with sophomore wide receiver Nolan Slywka for a 28-yard TD. Slywka led all Brockport receivers in receiving yards with 125 on five receptions.
That lead grew to 14-0 just two minutes later. Brockport freshman defensive back Liam Nealy blocked a punt that was recovered by junior wide receiver Kai Tran in the endzone for another Golden Eagles TD.
The Red Dragons cut the Brockport lead early in the second quarter to 14-7 on a 47-yard reception from sophomore wide receiver Jayson Zeva. However, Gocella found Slywka once again on the very next drive for a 29-yard TD to bring the Brockport lead back up to 14 points.
With just under five minutes remaining in the half, Cortland sophomore running back Ethan Gallo scored a TD of his own from six yards out to make this a one possession game.
The Golden Eagles had a chance to add on right before halftime with the ball at the Cortland 25-yard line. However, Gocella had a pass intercepted by Red Dragons sophomore defensive back Nazair Jean-Lubin. Cortland took advantage of the possession as Baloga cashed in on a 28-yard field goal as time expired in the half to cut the deficit to four points.
Cortland began with the ball to start the second half. After a nearly seven minute drive, Baloga connected again, this time from 25 yards out to cut the Brockport lead to one.
The Golden Eagles added some insurance early into the final quarter. Gocella's third passing TD of the day came on a 37-yard dime on fourth and seven, into double coverage, and into the hands of junior wide receiver Brian Caldwell Jr.
The game stayed neck-and-neck however. Boyes led the Red Dragons down the field on a drive capped off by a 19-yard receiving touchdown from sophomore wide receiver Sam Cotton. Cortland had a chance to tie the game when they went for two, but Boyes was stopped at the goal line by Brockport senior defensive lineman Andre Marianetti and senior linebacker Mike Talbert Jr.
Talbert Jr. and Marianetti combined for 15 tackles on the game with Talbert Jr. recording 10 of those tackles. Fifth year linebacker Ben Robinson led the team in tackles with 14 as six of them were solo and eight were assists.
"I think that as a team we played outstanding," Robinson said. "I think that games this close can come down to so many plays throughout the game that make us say, 'If we just did this or that we could've won.' I think we just have to keep working and getting better every game and learn from mistakes."
The Golden Eagles had a chance to put the game away, or at least add onto their lead with just over two minutes remaining in the fourth quarter. With the ball on the Cortland 17-yard line, Brockport couldn't muster any offense, and Golden Eagles head coach Jason Mangone opted to go for it on fourth-and-16 from the Cortland 23.
Gocella couldn't connect with Slywka this time, turning the ball over to Boyes and the Red Dragons with just under two minutes to play. Gocella also injured his ankle on the play, which proved to be important just a few moments later.
Boyes once again marched Cortland down the field, setting up Baloga for a 38-yard field goal. The senior put just enough behind the ball to get it through the uprights, giving Cortland their first lead of the game with just 31 seconds to play.
Daniel Mannah gave Brockport one last glimmer of hope as he retuned the kickoff 57 yards to the Cortland 33-yard line, setting up the Golden Eagles for one final opportunity.
However, freshman quarterback Anthony Vino, Gocella's injury replacement, who coming into this game had attempted just two passes in his entire college career, threw an interception on the very first play of the drive. Jean-Lubin slid to the ground immediately after making the catch, ending the game and giving the Red Dragons the E8 title.
With the win, Cortland extends their active winning streak to 21 consecutive games, a school record. The streak dates all the way back to Sep. 16 of 2023, when Susquehanna handed them a 38-35 loss.
This was the 75th time Cortland and Brockport have played each other, dating back to 1948. The Red Dragons are now 53-20-2 against the Golden Eagles.
The now 7-2 Golden Eagles will take on the 6-3 Alfred Saxons on the road Saturday. Kickoff is scheduled for 1 p.m.
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