HOBOKEN, NJ – Hartwick's women's soccer team, despite a valiant effort, came up a goal short, 2-1, to nationally ninth-ranked Stevens (17-1) in the 2016 Empire 8 Conference Women's Soccer Semifinals on Saturday at De Baun Athletic Complex in Hoboken, NJ. The Hawks, who were making their first conference tournament appearance since 2002, close out their season with a record of 10-5-3.
 
Rachel Weir (New Milford, CT/New Milford) scored to cut the Ducks' lead in half with 25:11 left in the contest and the Hawks peppered the Stevens' end as they pressed for the tying goal but they couldn't produce the chance the needed in the loss.
           
"We fought hard, caused them problems, and tried our best to get an equalizer," said Hartwick head coach Brian Gordon. "I'm very proud of our ability to bounce back after two very early goals."
           
Hartwick hoped to avoid a quick start from Stevens but got the opposite. Just 1:36 into the match, Raba Nassif served a ball in that caught a deflection off the head of a Hartwick defender. Keeper Megan McGillycuddy (Glenville, NY/Scotia-Glenville) couldn't handle the tough bounce off the turf and Zisi Komar was there to head home her fifteenth goal of the season.
           
Gabriella Saada added to the Ducks' total at 4:40. On the left of the Hawks' goal, she floated a ball from 20 yards away that found the far corner for a 2-0 lead.
           
The Ducks, with Nassif and Komar leading the way, continued to pressure the Hawks' goal over the next 25 minutes. Nassif had two chances go just off target inside the 11-minute mark. Julia Panko and Komar then had shots on frame that forced tipped saves from McGillycuddy. Olivia Butera would skim a shot off the crossbar following a corner shortly therafter.
           
Hartwick began generating chances and controlling play with under 13 minutes to go in the opening half. A Brooke Wojciechowski (West Bridgewater, MA/West Bridgewater) cross from the left of the Ducks' net found its way in the six-yard box to Maddy Paul (Seattle, WA/Nathan Hale), but she couldn't get a good foot on it to direct her shot on target. A minute later, Kiley Richardson (Flanders, NJ/Roxbury) pounded a low free kick into the box but it was cleared out by a Duck back.
           
The Ducks would hold a commanding 14-1 margin in shots in the opening 45 minutes.
           
Eleven minutes into the second half, the hosts thought they had a three-goal cushion as Panko drove a left-footed shot from 20 yards past reserve keeper Celeste Trevellini (Bayside, NY/World Journalism Prep School). The referee consulted with the linesman, however, and the goal was disallowed due to offside.
           
The Hawks and Ducks would play evenly over the next eight minutes but it would be Stevens which would produce the next chance. With just under 27 minutes remaining, Nassif served a ball for Misha Brewster who headed it at goal only to have Trevellini come up with a diving save to deny her.
           
A minute and a half later, the Hartwick deficit was cut in half. Weir played a short pass to get Bentley through on the left of Stevens' goal inside the box. She collected it, and played it back across on the ground to Weir. The sophomore faked a shot, found space to fire, and tallied up high past Ducks' goalkeeper Lindsey Mahnken. It marked Weir's 8^th goal of the season and Bentley's 13^th assist on the campaign.
           
The goal ignited the Hawks as they dominated possession over the final 25 minutes. They generated several free kicks and services into the danger area but couldn't get on the end of one. Casey Boucher (Northbridge, MA/Northbridge) had the last real chance for 'Wick with four and a half minutes to play after Bentley drew a foul 22 yards away from the Ducks' goal. Boucher's free kick, however, sailed just over the bar.
            
The Ducks finished the match with a 26-3 advantage in shots but the disparity was not indicative of the intensity of the contest nor the gritty performance by the Hawks.
           
McGillycuddy, who played the opening half in what would prove to be her final match as a Hawk, made five saves in the goal. Trevellini stopped four shots in the second half.
           
In addition to McGillycuddy, Nicolette Wilson (East Meadow, NY/East Meadow) and Alyssa Bennett (Auburn, NY/Auburn) also were playing in their final match in a Hartwick uniform. The Hawks also will bid farewell to three-year players Jackie Davis (Woodbine, NJ/Ocean City), Rachel Truland (Troy, NY/Lansingburgh), and Megan Maruscsak (Ballston Spa, NY/Ballston Spa).
           
"Overall it's been a very positive season," added Gordon. "We've set ourselves up very well for next year."