CORTLAND, NY – The Wilkes University men's ice hockey team scored two third period goals to try to cut the deficit but eventually fell 5-2 in the Colonels season-opener at SUNY Cortland Saturday night in non-conference competition.

Wilkes dropped to 0-1-0 to start the season while Cortland improved to 2-0-0. The Colonels held a 45-32 advantage in shots on goal through the course of the 60 minutes, but it was the Red Dragons that were able to find the net more often.

John Kuhl scored twice in the first period at 4:56 and 15:40 as Cortland led 2-0 after one. Wilkes held the lead in shots in the period 16-11.

Devlin O'Kane made it 3-0 for the hosts with the lone goal of the second period as the Colonels again led in shots on goal 15-13.

Robert Hyde's goal 6:07 into the third made it 4-0 Red Dragons.

Billy Berry (Redding, CT) scored shorthanded for the Colonels first goal of the season at the 7:11 mark to try to ignite a Wilkes rally. Matt Carlson (Delmar, NY/) followed with a goal at the 13:49 mark off an assist from Joe Johnson (Midland, MI/) to make it 4-2.

A Domenic Settimo goal on the 4-on-6 situation, with the Colonels net empty and shorthanded already killing a power play, quieted the comeback effort with 1:03 left and produced the 5-2 final. Wilkes outshot Cortland 14-8 in the third.

Berry led Wilkes with eight shots on goal and Carlson followed with five. Nate Berke led Cortland with five.

Cortland held a 37-34 edge in faceoff wins. Berry was 17-14 on the night to lead the Colonels at the dot and Settimo was 14-6 for the Red Dragons.

Michael Paterson-Jones (Baldwinsville, NY/) made 22 saves over the first 46:07 for the Colonels. Jack Perna (Sykesville, MD/) stopped all five of the shots he faced after he entered in the third. Ronan Mobley made 43 saves in the win for Cortland.

The Colonels play their home opener next Friday when they host Albertus Magnus College at the Toyota SportsPlex in non-conference action at 5:00 p.m.