POUGHKEEPSIE, NY – Vassar's second goal with just 2:02 remaining spoiled a valiant comeback for Hartwick's field hockey team Tuesday in Poughkeepsie. The Hawks trailed for over 50 minutes but rallied to tie the game with just over seven minutes to go. Bianca Zarella's individual effort proved to be the difference 5:01 later.
           
Vassar (9-1) struck early off a penalty corner to take the early lead 2:37 into the match. Zarella took the corner and Storm Sideleau settled it before Enya Cunningham blasted a shot to Hartwick keeper Yanna Boggio's (Amherst, NY/Amherst) right and the hosts were in front.
           
The Hawks had two shots over the next 14 minutes. Rebecca Reilly (Riverhead, NY/Riverhead) had a shot near the end line saved by Vassar goalie Amreen Bhasin. Claudia Stone (Akron, NY/Akron) also had a shot blocked.
           
'Wick would trail the Brewers 4-2 in shots through the midway point in the half. Vassar would control the rest of the period as it fired 11 shots and took seven penalty corners over the last 16:44. Boggio would keep the hosts out though as she finished with five saves, including two on a three-shot flurry deep in the half.
           
In the second half, Vassar continued where it left off in the first, taking six shots and three penalty corners in the first fifteen minutes. Lex Richards (Northport, NY/Northport) made a defensive save for the Hawks and Boggio stopped two in the span.
           
At the 52:57 mark of the game, the Hawks seized their moment and evened the match. Stone used a long run to bring the ball into the Vassar circle. She stopped and drove her powerful shot to Bhasin's right and in and the game was tied at 1-1.
           
Boggio would stave off the Brewers following the tying goal as she saved six straight shots over the next four minutes. She added her 14^th save with 7:35 and it looked as though the Hawks would make it into overtime.
           
Zarrella instead would give the Brewers the late lead as she dribbled in alone with Boggio and tucked her shot underneath her to the far post for what would prove to be the game-winner. The Hawks got the ball into Brewer territory in the final two minutes but weren't able to register a shot.
           
'Wick slips to 7-5-1 against the Brewers all-time. The two teams have played in each of the last six seasons with both teams winning three contests.
               
Hartwick returns to Empire 8 Conference play this Saturday at Stevens. The Hawks and Ducks will play at 11 a.m.