HOUGHTON, NY – Hartwick fell behind but two goals 2:28 apart at the end of the first half proved to be the difference as the Hawks won their second consecutive Empire 8 Conference game of the season Saturday with a 2-1 win at Houghton.
           
Sophomores Mikaelan Stuiligross (Walton, NY/Walton) and Rebecca Reilly (Riverhead, NY/Riverhead) scored Hawks' goals to help them to the victory. Hartwick goalie Yanna Boggio (Amherst, NY/Amherst) made four saves for the Hawks in cage.
           
The Hawks controlled the early proceedings as they held a 7-3 edge in shots through the first 25 minutes of the contest. A shot from freshman Claudia Stone (Akron, NY/Akron) was saved by Houghton goalie Elizabeth Piszker with 10 minutes to go before halftime.
           
The Highlanders would then march down the field and score just 31 seconds later to grab the one-goal advantage. Tyler Reese got the Houghton tally with Kelsie Ashley picking up the assist.
           
Hartwick head coach Anna Meyer called timeout and the Hawks needed just seven and a half minutes to draw even. Stuligross would get the goal for the Hawks, which was her third tally of the season.
           
The Hawks got the ball back into Houghton's end and continued to pressure the Highlander cage. Catie Kondi (Canaan, NH/Mascoma Valley Regional) got a shot off that was turned away by Piszker. Reilly was there to finish the play off for her fourth goal of the season. It also marked her first game-winning goal.
           
In the second half, both teams totaled nine shots. Houghton fired four shots but only two forced saves from Boggio. The final Highlander shot on target came with eight and a half minutes remaining which Boggio handled to help preserve the victory.
           
The Hawks finished the match doubling up the Highlanders in shots, 16-8. They had eight penalty corners to Houghton's five.
           
Hartwick looks to make it three wins in a row on Thursday. The Hawks host cross-town rival Oneonta State at Wright Stadium beginning at 4 p.m.