ONEONTA, NY – Sophomore Rachel Weir (New Milford, CT/New Milford) scored two goals to help lead Hartwick women's soccer to a 4-0 shutout of visiting Utica on Wednesday night under the lights of Elmore Field. The victory ups the Hawks' overall record to 7-4-3 overall and Empire 8 mark to 2-2-2. 'Wick still has two remaining conference games left on the schedule.
           
Weir wasted little time handing her team the lead. Just 38 seconds in, she one-timed a Jacqueline Smith (Monroe, NY/Monroe-Woodbury) cross from the left side of Utica's goal low into the far corner for the early Hawks' advantage.
           
Smith would set up Hartwick's second goal 29 minutes later on another service. Her cross was contested by Sierra Bentley (Worcester, NY/Schenevus) and Utica keeper Allison Wagner with neither getting a piece of the ball. Alyssa Bennett (Auburn, NY/Auburn) was there to put away her first goal of the season to give the Hawks a two-goal cushion.
           
The Hawks were rolling in the opening half, out-shooting the Pioneers by a 16-2 margin. The Pioneers, however, nearly got back into the match with seven and a half minutes left as Ciara McIlnenny rang a shot off the post from 18 yards away.
           
Hartwick put the game away early in the second half on another Weir tally. Her shot from 16 yards away to the far corner made it a 3-0 game 8:20 into the period. It marked Weir's fifth goal of the season.
           
Less than 11 minutes later, the scoring was complete. Bentley's pass allowed Ashley Connolly (Johnson City, NY/Johnson City) a shot off the far post and in for her fourth tally of the year. It marked Bentley's league-leading eighth assist of the season. She now has 16 in the last two seasons and 18 for her career.
           
Megan McGillycuddy (Glenville, NY/Scotia-Glenville) and Celeste Trevellini (Bayside, NY/World Journalism Prep School) combined for the clean sheet in goal. McGillycuddy stopped five shots in the opening 68:34. Trevellini played the final 21:26 and was not called upon tho make a save. Wagner closed the night with 11 saves for Utica.
           
Hartwick hosts another critical conference game on Saturday against Alfred beginning at 2 p.m. The day marks Hartwick Women's Soccer Senior Day.