Box Score
HOBOKEN, NJ- Hartwick's
Cristina Sicari (St. James, NY/Smithtown East) scored in the 15
th minute to give the women's soccer team an early 1-0 lead but host Stevens would score three unanswered goals on its way to a 3-1 win on Saturday afternoon. Hartwick's overall record now stands at 4-4-3 overall and 1-3-1 in the Empire 8. The Ducks improve it 6-5 overall and 2-0 in the E8.
The Ducks looked to take the lead in the opening minutes of the first half with five corner kicks but the Hartwick defense prevented them from converting on their opportunities. The Hawks moved down the field and got a couple of shots including one by
Cami Cleaveland (Oneonta, NY/Oneonta) that was saved by a Stevens defender. Sicari then took advantage of the failed clear attempt by the Ducks and hit a shot that beat goalie Evelyn Ting and into the net to give the Hawks a 1-0 lead.
The 'Wick lead lasted for nearly 17 minutes of game time until the Ducks Mariah Cleveland converted a pass from Raba Nassif into the goal to tie the game 1-1. The Hawks defense kept Stevens off balance for the rest of the half as the score remained tied at halftime.
The game would remain tied for almost 18 minutes of the second half until Nassif scored from 20 yards out on the left side to put the Ducks on top for good 2-1. Cleveland would score her second goal of the game in the 77
th minute to complete the scoring.
“We started off well and Cristina earned a good goal,” said head coach Matt Verni. “We had a chance for a second off an own goal but it was called back for offside which was an unlucky decision. Stevens exerted themselves physically with winning 50-50 balls and then gained momentum with possession and playing balls behind our back four,” added Verni.
Stevens had a wide margin in shots, 19-9, and in corner kicks, 8-1.
Hope Brown (Sherburne, NY/Sherburne-Earlville) had three saves in net for the Hawks as did Ting for the Ducks.
Hartwick returns home for a non-conference match with SUNYIT on Wednesday night. Game time will be at 7 p.m.
