Field Hockey 10/29/2011 3:39:00 PM Chris Gondek, Hartwick SI

Nazareth Knocks Hawks From Playoff Picture With 2-1 Overtime Win

Field Hockey 10/29/2011 3:39:00 PM Chris Gondek, Hartwick SI

Nazareth Knocks Hawks From Playoff Picture With 2-1 Overtime Win

Abby Wentlent

            ROCHESTER, NY – Lindsey Smith's goal 7:34 into the first overtime gave host Nazareth a 2-1 victory over Hartwick's field hockey team on Saturday in Rochester. With the win, the Golden Flyers secure the fourth and final Empire 8 Conference playoff spot. The Hawks close out their season with a 6-11 overall record and a 3-4 mark in the conference.
            The game was scoreless through the first half of play with the Flyers holding a slight 9-5 advantage in shots. Meghan Sweeney (Foxboro, MA/Foxboro), Abby Wentlent (Greene, NY/Greene), and Megan Lefeber (Riverton, CT/Northwestern) each had shots on cage in the opening half for the Hawks but all three were turned away by Naz goalie Sophia Rhodes.
            The Golden Flyers put eight of their nine shots on goal in the opening half. Hartwick goalkeeper Devyn Staley (Greene, NY/Greene) stopped seven and Holley Reynolds (Walton, NY/Walton) notched a defensive save for the Hawks.
            Both goals in regulation came in a 2:36 span in the second half. Kailee O'Hara opened the scoring at the 49:24 mark for Nazareth as she scored her sixth goal of the season. Nina Fargnoli earned an assist on the play.
            At the 52 minute mark, the Hawks evened the score as Kelsey Kimble (Dingmans Ferry, PA/Delaware Valley) notched her team-best 11^th goal of the season. She began the play with a penalty corner which went to Wentlent. She returned the ball to Kimble who beat Rhoades to even the match.
            The tying goal gave the Hawks momentum for the rest of regulation as they earned three corners and out-shot the Golden Flyers 4-0 over the final 18 minutes. Alicia Flewelling (Queensbury, NY/Glens Falls), Kimble, and Wentlent had shots saved by Rhoades in the span.
            Both teams had chances in the overtime session. Smith was denied by Reynolds' second defensive save of the game and third for Hartwick 2:57 into the period. Just over three minutes later, the Hawks were awarded a penalty stroke, but Kimble's shot went wide right.
            One minute, 27 seconds after the missed chance for the Hawks, Nazareth produced the game-winner. Fargnoli started the play with a shot that was saved by Staley. Smith was there to bang in the rebound and the Golden Flyers sewed up their spot in the conference semifinals.
            Naz edged the Hawks in shots for the game by a margin of 17-15. The Hawks had 15 penalty corners in the game. Naz had only eight.
            Staley and Rhoades each recorded 10 saves for their respective teams. Sarah MacDougall (Watertown, MA/Watertown) notched the other Hartwick defensive save to go along with Reynolds' pair.
            Today's match marked the final one in Hartwick uniforms for seniors Flewelling, Brittany Baughman (Niskayuna, NY/Niskayuna), Anna Drake (West Winfield, NY/Mount Markham), and Stephanie Washburn (Greene, NY/Greene).

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