Box Score

ROCHESTER, NY- The Hartwick women's soccer team played in its first ECAC playoff game in 17 years on Saturday afternoon at Growney Stadium and forced its match with St. John Fisher to a 1-1 tie after 90 minutes of regulation and two overtimes. The Hawks season would come to a close, however, as Fisher advanced to the finals, 5-4, in penalty kicks.

In the shootout, the two teams each converted on four opportunities and the game came down to the Cardinals' Kaytlyn Perotti. Her shot hit the post and trickled in after deflecting off of Hartwick goalkeeper Hope Brown (Sherburne, NY/Sherburne-Earlville) to advance the Cardinals into tomorrow's championship.

St. John Fisher got on the board in the 12^th minute of the game. Heather Konieczny stole the ball from a Hartwick defender and put the ball past Brown for the early 1-0 lead.

Both teams played tough defense throughout the second half with the Hawks holding the Cardinals to just one shot. The Hawks had a chance for a goal in the second half when Jayme Bentley (Worcester, NY/Worcester) passed across to Cristina Sicari (St. James, NY/Smithtown East) but her shot was just off the mark.

Hartwick would finally break through late in the second period. Mackenzie Shipley's (Sedro Woolley, WA/Sedro Woolley) corner kick generated a scramble in front of the goal. The ball fell to Frances Nesi (Metuchen, NJ/Union Catholic) who hit a shot past Cardinal goalkeeper Sydney DeVitto to tie the game at 1-1 with just over three minutes remaining in regulation.

The contest then headed to the first overtime period where Hartwick would get one scoring opportunity. Emily Thorndike (Dover, MA/Dover Sherborn) nearly ended it but her shot went wide of the goal.

The Cardinals had one shot in the second overtime. Alex Rohloff had a good look at a goal, but she would be stopped by Brown.

 The game then headed to penalty kicks. After Shipley hit 'Wick's fourth kick, Perotti was up next for St. John Fisher and she made the kick to advance the Cardinals to tomorrow's championship game.

The Cardinals led in shots in the first half 7-4 but could only manage two for the rest of the game. Hartwick led in total shots 10-9. The Hawks dominated in corner kicks, 9-3.

“I'm extremely proud of the effort put in today and all season, said head coach Matt Verni. “We showed tremendous character to be able to score the tying goal with three minutes left. Coach Gordon and I could not be prouder of this group.”

Hartwick concludes its season with a final record of 8-8-2. Today's game marked the final contest for seniors Shipley, Thorndike, Nesi, Carly Pine (Hoosick Falls, NY/Hoosick Falls), Danielle Koenig (Ballston Spa, NY/Ballston Spa), and Daniella Yozzo (Utica, NY/Utica-Notre Dame).