The Red Dragons compete in the State University of New York Athletic Conference (SUNYAC) and play home games in the city of Cortland, NY.

Cortland would achieve significant success under head coach Jack Emmer from 1970 to 1972, going 32-6 and reaching the semifinals of the second ever NCAA Men's Lacrosse Tournament in 1972.

After beating Navy 9–8 in overtime of the quarterfinals, the team's season would end with a loss to the eventual and then first-time NCAA champion Virginia Cavaliers.

In 2006, under head coach and former Dragons All-American goalie Rich Barnes, the team would win its first NCAA championship since becoming a Division III competitor in 1980, beating the Salisbury Sea Gulls in overtime of the title game 13–12.

[7] Former Vermont Head Coach Steve Beville would replace Barnes the following year and help deliver the Red Dragons' second Division III Championship in 2009.