Box Score

ROCHESTER, NY – Hartwick women's lax outscored host Nazareth 8-4 over the final 45 minutes on Saturday, but the Hawks couldn't overcome an early deficit in a 12-8 loss. The Hawks, who fall to 5-7 overall and 1-4 in the Empire 8, spotted the Golden Flyers an 8-0 lead in the first 14:36. 'Wick battled back to twice cut the hosts' lead to four but could get no closer.
           
Hartwick senior Brittany LaVaute (Skaneateles, NY/Skaneateles HS) paced her team with three goals on the day. Juniors Erica Scicchitano (Centerport, NY/Harborfields HS) and Erin Doyle (Syracuse, NY/Corcoran HS) each added two goals. Freshman Jackie Moynihan (West Islip, NY/West Islip HS) contributed a goal and classmate Lisa Littleton (Yorktown, NY/Yorktown HS) dished out two assists.
           
The Flyers jumped in front thanks to eight goals on their first nine shots of the day. After scoring the scoring 1:25 into the match, three goals 1:04 apart extended the lead to 4-0 with only four and a half minutes elapsed.
           
After registering its fifth tally just under the 10-minute mark, another three-goal rally in a 2:06 spurt  made the score 8-0 Naz. Doyle finally got the Hawks on the scoreboard with 14:55 left in the half and she scored her second 5:12 later to make it 8-2. LaVaute beat the clock for Hartwick's third goal with just one second remaining in the half and the Blue and White trailed by five at the intermission.
           
Scicchitano cut the deficit to four 5:54 into the second half of play. After Moynihan won the ensuing draw, freshman Emily Jweid (Marcy, NY/Whitesboro HS) had a chance to get ''Wick closer but her shot was turned away by Naz goalie Tara Prosak.
           
The Golden Flyers countered with three straight goals in 6:21 to up their advantage to 11-4. LaVaute then netted her 90^th career goal in a Hartwick uniform and Moynihan scored on the free position to make the score 11-6.
           
Naz tallied with 8:33 left but Scicchitano answered 1:16 later and LaVaute trimmed the lead to four, 12-8, with 5:49 left. Littleton set up both Hartwick tallies.
           
After the Flyers called a timeout to regroup, Scicchitano won the draw control and the Hawks had a chance to inch closer. 'Wick, however, turned the ball over on its final two possessions ending any hope of a comeback.
           
Nazareth (6-6, 4-1 E8) held the edge in shots, 32-23. The Flyers out-shot Hartwick 22-11 in the first half, but the Hawks held the edge in the second half, 12-10. The Flyers edged 'Wick in both ground balls (18-16) and draws (12-9).
           
Hartwick goalkeeper Steph Luce (Saratoga Springs, NY/Saratoga Springs HS) made 11 saves in the game. Prosak also stopped 11 for the victors.
           
Scicchitano and LaVaute tied for the team-high in both ground balls (3) and caused turnovers (2). Freshman defender Caroline Stanford (Skaneateles, NY/Skaneateles HS) also forced two Golden Flyer miscues. She grabbed two ground balls as did sophomore Meg Luce (Saratoga Springs, NY/Saratoga Springs, HS).
           
Erinn Wood led Nazareth with three goals and three assists. Amy McIntosh and Alyssa Johnston contributed two goals and an assist.
           
Hartwick is back in action tomorrow at St. John Fisher. The Hawks and Cardinals are set to battle at 1 p.m.