UTICA, NY – Hartwick opened its Empire 8 slate on Tuesday night and earned a convincing 2-0 shutout of host Utica College at Charles A. Gaetano Stadium. The Hawks used two goals less than six minutes apart in the second half for the victory. 'Wick also out-shot its opposition by a 20-2 margin. The Hawks limited the Pioneers to just one shot on goal for ninety minutes
           
Hartwick had to wait until the 60^th minute to break the ice. Freshman Hanna Konash (Stowe, MA/Nashoba Regional) tallied for the first time in a Hartwick uniform with fellow freshman Rachel Weir (New Milford, CT/New Milford) registering an assist. Konash's shot went through Utica goalkeeper Jamie Enders' fingers and in for a 1-0 lead.
           
Five minutes, 55 seconds later, sophomore Casey Boucher (Northbridge, MA/Northbridge) gave the Hawks a two-goal cushion. It would mark her second goal of the season. Sophomore Sierra Bentley (Worcester, NY/Schenevus) and junior Cami Cleaveland (Oneonta, NY/Oneonta) were credited with assists on the play.
           
The Hawks still had 24 and a half minutes to kill to secure the victory. They continued to go to goal and out-shot the hosts 5-1 the rest of the way. Jenna Mazza's shot wide of Hartwick's net was all the Pioneers would be able to muster.
           
'Wick improves to 7-1 overall with six of its victories coming via shutout. Megan McGillycuddy (Glenville, NY/Scotia-Glenville) earned her fourth clean sheet after having to make one stop for the Hawks. She has a goals against average of just 0.25 this season in over 722 minutes.
           
Hartwick will be off until a September 30 meeting against Ithaca College on Elmore at 5 p.m. The Hawks have been edged out by the Bombers by just a goal in each of the last two seasons.