Box Score

UTICA, NY- Needing a win in their final conference game of the season to secure an Empire 8 playoff berth, the Hartwick field hockey team came up short as host Utica scored two goals early in the second half to defeat the Hawks 3-1 on Saturday morning. The Pioneers (12-5, 4-3 E8) clinch a spot in the Empire 8 Tournament for the third straight season with the win.

Utica struck quickly in the first half just 27 seconds into the game when Alaina Stojkovski scored from 20 yards out to give the Pioneers the 1-0 lead.

The Hawks would answer back late in the first half in the 31^st minute. Megan Lefeber (Riverton, CT/Northwestern Regional) dribbled into the arc where she passed to Kelsey Kimble (Dingmans Ferry, PA/Delaware Valley), who scored from seven yards out to make it a 1-1 game at halftime.

The game would not be tied for long in the second half. Utica's Hannah Mackey took a shot that was saved by Hartwick goalkeeper Kailee Granger (Afton, NY/Afton). Louise Steele-Norton was there to pick up the rebound and scored what proved to be the game-winning goal as Utica went back on top 2-1.

Mackey would score herself a little under two and a half minutes later on a long pass from Alaina Stojkovski to make it a 3-1 contest.

The Hawks had chances to get back into the game with some good shots on goal but were denied by Utica goalkeeper Kells Kasey who finished the day with seven saves in cage.

Megan Campbell (Rutland, MA/Wachusett Regional) started for the Hawks in goal and played a total of 12 minutes while surrendering only one goal. Granger played 58 minutes in goal and had two saves.

Hartwick ends its season with an overall record of 6-11 and a 3-4 record in the Empire 8. The game marked the last contest for seniors Campbell, Granger, Kimble, Cassie Jonaitis (Rocky Point, NY/Rocky Point), Sarah MacDougall (Watertown, MA/Watertown), and Meghan Sweeney (Foxboro, MA/Foxboro).