SPRINGFIELD, MA – Hartwick began the season with a victory for the third straight year on Thursday with a 3-1 win over host Western New England in Springfield, MA. The Hawks scored twice in the first 12 minutes and held a 14-4 advantage in shots for the match.
"We played really well in patches," said victorious head coach
Brian Gordon. "We scored three good goals and could have had more. It was great to finally get out there and get everyone good minutes."
'Wick had 22 players take the field on the day. Nine registered at least a shot.
In their first meeting since 2001 and just the second all-time for the two teams, Hartwick jumped in front 5:50 into the game. A
Sierra Bentley (Worcester, NY/Schenevus) corner kick was headed in by
Madison Miller (Oneonta, NY/Oneonta) to put the Hawks in front.
Five minutes, 25 seconds later, 'Wick got an insurance goal as
Allie Ricci (Millstone, NJ/Saint John Vianney) rolled the ball past Bears' keeper Marissa Veilleux from the top of the 18-yard box with
Casey Boucher (Northbridge, MA/Northbridge) earning an assist on the play.
Hartwick got a third tally with just under 20 minutes remaining in the contest.
Hanna Konash (Stowe, MA/Washoba Regional) would get the goal putting the ball high at the near post with Bentley getting her second assist of the afternoon on a nice through ball.
The Hawks shutout bid was denied with 5:21 left in the match as Brooke Labrie put her shot past 'Wick keeper
Celeste Trevellini (Bayside, NY/World Journalism) and into the far corner for the final 3-1 score line.
Trevellini and
Megan McGillycuddy (Glenville, NY/Scotia-Glenville) split time in goal. McGillycuddy played the first half and made one save. Trevellini faced three shots but was not called upon to make a stop in the final 45 minutes.
The Hawks are back in action on Saturday in their home opener against Keuka. Game time is 1 p.m. on Elmore Field in the opening game of the Erinn K. Brozman Memorial Cup. The Hawks are the two-time defending champions.
