ONEONTA, NY – Final preparations are underway for Hartwick's men's and women's soccer teams as the 2012 Mayor's Cup Tournaments get under way on Friday evening.
           
The Hartwick men get play started in the Division I Men's Tournament with a 5 p.m. game against visiting St. Bonaventure on Elmore Field. The Hartwick women's team hosts William Paterson in the second game of the day on Saturday on Elmore.
           
This weekend marks the 37th Division I Men's and 17th Women's Division III Tournament. A full schedule of the weekend's games can be found below as well as links for fans to follow all the action.
           
Hartwick's men's face a dangerous St. Bonaventure team Friday to begin the weekend. They will be followed by Syracuse versus New Jersey Institute of Technology at 7:30 p.m. Hawks' skipper John Scott anticipates a very balanced tournament and great games for local fans.
           
“From a spectator's standpoint,” said Scott, “It's going to be a great weekend of soccer with four solid programs competing. There's certainly a buzz in town and on our campus.”
           
The Hawks are coming off an 0-0-2 showing at the Bradley University Hotels at Grand Prairie Classic in which they secured draws over the host Braves (1-1) and tournament champion Mercer (2-2).
           
Tim Crawford (Webster, NY/Webster Thomas), Rio Dhat (Auckland, New Zealand/ Epping Boys HS), and Chris Walter (Snyder, NY/Nichols School) scored goals for Hartwick on the weekend. Walter and Jack Miller (Commack, NY/Commack HS) each were named to the all-tournament team.
           
The Bonnies are a deceiving 0-4 to start the season. The team has surrendered 15 goals in those games, including 10 in their last two defeats.
           
“Both teams are entering the game looking for their first win of the season,” added Scott. “St. Bonaventure is a capable team and we cannot be complacent against them.”
           
NJIT, the Hawks' opponent on Sunday, enters Elmore Field with a 2-2 mark. The two teams have one common opponent in St. Joseph's. The Highlanders won by a 2-0 margin over SJU while the Hawks opened the season with a 2-1 overtime loss.
           
“NJIT is a well-coached team,” added Scott. “They will also arrive very motivated after a mid-week loss to Marist in the final 13 seconds of the match.”
           
Syracuse is the fourth team competing. The Orange, led by Hartwick Hall of Famer and former head coach Ian McIntyre, is off to a 3-1 start. The team rolled to a 6-0 shutout of Colgate on Monday.
           
Hartwick's women's team dominated last weekend's 9^th Annual Erinn K. Brozman Cup with a pair of shutout wins. The Hawks cruised to the title with a 4-0 blanking of Old Westbury and a 7-0 win over Cobleskill. Hartwick is now 2-0 to start the season for the first time since 1995.
           
Kylie Thayer (Ithaca, NY/Ithaca), Stephanie Morini (Holbrook, NY/Sachem North), and Emily Thorndike (Dover, MA/Dover Sherborn) each recorded two goals and an assist in the two victories. Goalkeeper Hope Brown (Sherburne, NY/Sherburne-Earlville) played in 154 minutes in two matches and was called upon to make just four saves.
           
“We're hoping to continue to ride the momentum of last weekend into Mayor's Cup,” said Hartwick head coach Matt Verni. “The quality of our opposition will be very tough but we're focused on our first game against William Paterson. They are much stronger than their record indicates.”
           
The Pioneers are 0-1-2 to start the season with ties against Scranton (3-3), St. Joseph's (2-2), and a 3-1 loss to Haverford. Michelle Marabondo and Laela Brock have combined for five goals and two assists for WPU.
           
The College of New Jersey (2-0) arrives in Oneonta ranked 20^th in the country in latest NSCAA Poll. The Lions have a pair of shutouts under their belts after beating Rochester, 1-0, and Skidmore by a 6-0 final score.
           
“TCNJ will be strong,” said Verni. “They have some impressive results so far and we'll formulate a game plan to try and break them down Sunday.”
           
Oneonta State serves as co-host of the women's tournament, hosting both games on Sunday. The Red Dragons are 1-2 but are coming off a 2-0 shutout of national-ranked Williams this week.
 


2012 Mayor's Cup – Division I Men's (all games played at Hartwick's Elmore Field)

Friday, September 7
St. Bonaventure vs. Hartwick – 5 p.m.
Live Stats
Webcast
 
NJIT vs. Syracuse – 7:30 p.m.
Live Stats
Webcast
 
Sunday, September 9
St. Bonaventure vs. Syracuse – 12 p.m.
Live Stats
Webcast
 
NJIT vs. Hartwick – 3 p.m.
Live Stats
Webcast
 
 
2012 Mayor's Cup – Division III Women's

Saturday, September 8 – Elmore Field
TCNJ vs. Oneonta State – 1 p.m.
Live Stats
 
William Paterson vs. Hartwick – 3:30 p.m.
Live Stats
 
 
Sunday, September 9 – Oneonta State's Red Dragon Field
TCNJ vs. Hartwick – 2:30 p.m.
Live Stats
Webcast