ONEONTA, NY - A Utica goal 2:03 into the second overtime period lifted Utica to a 3-2 win over Hartwick's field hockey team on Saturday. The Hawks rallied from a two-goal deficit in the second half to send the game into extra time, before the Pioneers' winner.

Mikaelan Stuligross (Walton, NY/Walton) and Courtney Coons (Wilton, NY/South Glens Falls) each scored goals 2:34 apart to turn a 2-0 deficit into a 2-2 game in the later stages of the second half. Catie Kondi (Canaan, NH/Mascoma Valley Regional) started each goal-scoring play with a shot from the top of the circle.
           
The two teams combined for 50 shots with Utica holding a slim 26-24 edge in a very even game. Hartwick had more penalty corners, 15-14.
           
The Pioneers got an early goal to gain the lead following a Rylee Meelan tally 2:37 into the contest. She fired a shot which was saved by Hartwick goalkeeper Shannon Carter (Falls Church, VA/JEB Stuart). Meelan got the rebound and her backhand found the net for the Pioneer lead. It would not be the last time Meelan would be heard from in the game.
           
The Hawks ended the first half doubling up the Pioneers in shots, 12-6, but they weren't able to best Pioneer goalie Kells Casey. 'Wick also had an 8-3 edge in corners.
           
UC got an insurance marker 14:47 into the second half. Rebecca Kauffman was credited on the goal on a deflection with Meghan McCormick assisting.
           
Down two goals with several scoring opportunities behind them, the Hawks could have conceded to the Pioneers. Instead, they responded and drew one back 8:09 later. A Kondi shot following a penalty corner was tipped in by Stuligross on the rebound at 57:56 to make it a one-goal game.
           
Under three minutes later, the game was all square. Another Kondi effort after a corner was saved by Casey, but Coons tucked in the ensuing loose ball for a 2-2 game.
             
The Pioneers had two more shots on cage in regulation but both were turned away by Carter and the game went to overtime.
           
In the first 15-minute session, Sarah Ryan (Saratoga Springs, NY/Saratoga Springs), Emily Marcotte (Corinth, NY/Corinth), Coons (2), and Maxine Dunn (Peterborough, NH/ConVal) all registered shots on target only to have Casey stop each one.
           
The first overtime ended with the Hawks holding a 5-0 edge in shots on goal. UC managed four shots but none were on cage.
           
In the second overtime, the Pioneers had three chances which were all saved by Carter in a five-second flurry. They scored the game-winner shortly after. McCormick played a pass into Meelan and she redirected it into the Hartwick goal for a 3-2 Utica victory.
           
Carter made 14 saves for 'Wick, including eight in the second half. Casey would stop 13 shots for UC.
           
The loss ends the Hawks' season at 5-10 overall and 1-7 in the Empire 8.