Box Score

ONEONTA, NY- The Hartwick women's soccer team scored two early first half goals and made it hold up as the Hawks came away with a huge 2-1 victory over St. John Fisher at a cold and windy Elmore Field on Saturday afternoon. The win was significant as it marks the first victory over the Cardinals since 2003. Hartwick ups its record to 7-6-3 overall and 2-3-1 in the Empire 8 while Fisher falls to 8-10 overall and 3-3 in the E8.

Hartwick was granted a corner kick in the 15^th minute. Kylie Thayer's (Ithaca, NY/Ithaca) attempt was pushed back by Cardinal goalie Brooke Seavitt to Angela Luizzi (Albany, NY/Guilderland) who would settle the ball and pass to Jessica Bentley (Worcester, NY/Schenecus Central). Bentley backfooted the ball to Nicolette Wilson (East Meadow, NY/East Meadow) whose initial shot was stopped but she put in the rebound to give the Hawks the 1-0 lead.

The Hawks would strike again just inside of the 18^th minute. Thayer's long kick from midfield got past the Fisher defense and Cristina Sicari (St. James, NY/Smithtown East) found herself one-on-one with a diving Seavitt and deposited the ball in the back of the net to put 'Wick ahead with an early 2-0 lead.

The Cardinals nearly scored their first goal of the game in the 29^th minute. Fisher's Krista Pilla hit a corner kick that was headed by Ciara Vitallo but Mary Morrison (Fulton, NY/G. Ray Bodley HS) was there to knock it out of play.

Hartwick almost tacked on its third goal of the game just before halftime. Thayer hit a long kick from the left sideline that Seavitt knocked down and Luizzi put up a shot that went to the net and almost over the hands of Seavitt, who again rejected the ball and the ball, and fell in front of Morrison, who was stopped by Seavitt.

In the second half, the Cardinals would not have to wait long to get on the scoreboard. Fisher's Carly Finn passed to Molly Beaton who got past Hartwick goalie Annie Millar (Ilion, NY/Illion) and scored to make it a 2-1 contest.

Fisher dominated the rest of the half as they attacked the Hartwick zone but the Hawks' defense would not relent and stood firm. Millar stopped three shots in the second frame to keep the 'Wick lead intact.

The Cardinals had a chance to tie the game and send it into overtime. With four seconds left, Fisher was granted a corner kick and with time winding down, Jamie Alloco headed the ball toward the net but it went wide and the Hawks walked away with the victory.

St. John Fisher led in shots 23-8 and held a narrow 10-7 shots on goal. The Cardinals had a wide lead in corner kicks, 11-1.

Millar had her second straight solid start in goal as she turned away nine shots for the Hawks. Seavitt had five saves for the Cardinals.

The victory keeps the Hawks' Empire 8 playoffs chances alive with one conference game remaining. 'Wick is tied with Elmira for fifth place while the Cardinals remain in fourth. The Cardinals face first place Ithaca on Wednesday while the Hawks take on Alfred and Elmira goes against Stevens next Saturday.

Hartwick returns to Elmore Field for its final home game of the season when it hosts cross-city rival Oneonta State on Wednesday night. Game time will be at 7 p.m.