ONEONTA, NY – Allie Ricci's (Millstone, NJ/Saint John Vianney) goal with 11 seconds left in regulation lifted Hartwick women's soccer to a 1-0 victory over visiting Alfred (7-8-1, 1-5-1 E8) on a rainy Saturday on Elmore Field. 'Wick is now 8-4-3 overall.
           
The victory, coupled with Houghton's 0-0 tie with Utica, vaults the Hawks into fourth place in the Empire 8 standings at 3-2-2 with one game to play next Saturday at Elmira. Hartwick can clinch its first conference tournament berth since 2002 with a Houghton tie or loss to Nazareth on Wednesday. The Hawks also clinch with a win against the Soaring Eagles in a week's time.
           
Hartwick shelled Alfred with pressure throughout today's contest but they went unrewarded for nearly all of regulation. After out-shooting the Saxons 9-1 in the first half, the Hawks held a 17-0 advantage in shots leading up to the late goal.
           
Kiley Richardson (Flanders, NJ/Roxbury) served a ball into the box which Alexis Epstein (East Meadow, NY/East Meadow) was able to get on the end of. She put the ball back across for Ricci to punch home for her fourth goal of the season. Three of Ricci's tallies this season have been game-winners.
           
Hartwick finished the match out-shooting Alfred 27-1. The Hawks took nine of the match's 10 corners.
           
Megan McGillycuddy (Glenville, NY/Scotia-Glenville) secured the clean sheet with 90 minutes in the Hawks' goal. She was not required to make a save on the day. Alfred keeper Sammy Jo Shanahan made 12 stops.
           
Ricci finished the day as the team leader in shots with nine. Sierra Bentley (Worcester, NY/Schenevus) recorded five shots and Rachel Weir (New Milford, CT/New Milford) had four.
           
The game served as Hartwick Senior Day with four-year seniors McGillycuddy, Alyssa Bennett (Auburn, NY/Auburn), Nicolette Wilson (East Meadow, NY/East Meadow), and juniors Jackie Davis (Woodbine, NJ/Ocean City), Rachel Truland (Troy, NY/Lansingburgh), and Megan Maruscsak (Ballston Spa, NY/Ballston Spa) playing in their final home games. The players were recognized, along with their families, for their contributions to Hartwick women's soccer.
           
Hartwick plays on Wednesday at local rival Oneonta State at Red Dragon Field with kickoff beginning at 3 p.m.