ONEONTA, NY – In a tightly contested field hockey game, Hartwick saw two of its final attempts in the game's waning time unlucky as Houghton's lone goal was all it needed to hand the Hawks their first Empire 8 loss of the season, 1-0, Saturday afternoon at Wright Stadium. The loss is just 'Wick's third of the season, 7-3, as they fall to just 2-1 in conference. The Highlanders picked up their first league victory, 1-3, and are 5-5 on the year.
 
The Hawks' Lex Richards (Northport, NY/Northport) was awarded a penalty stroke against Highlanders' keeper, Elizabeth Piszker, with less than four minutes left to play at Wright. The senior's try resulted in a soft touch as the ball rolled right into the padding of Piszker.
 
Maria Stalder (New Woodstock, NY/Cazenovia) attempted the contest's final shot with less than a minute to go but the foe's Casidhe Heschke was there with the quick reaction. She registered the defensive save that ultimately eliminated 'Wick's chances of forcing the extra session.
 
The match's lone goal came from the stick of Caitlin Jennings in the 21^st minute, as the midfielder found herself positioned right in front of Hawks' keeper, Allyson Osborne (Nottingham, PA/Solanco). Jennings caught a through ball from Tanya Hatton, and casted a shot that bounced just past Osborne and reached the back of the cage high, avoiding the deflection.
 
Houghton got the better of 'Wick owning a 6-4 shot margin and a 6-4 edge in penalty corners. Both goalies picked up a pair of saves as the only two featured for their respective teams.
 
The win is just the second all-time against Hartwick as 'Wick still holds the record, 4-2.
 
Hartwick embarks on a three-game road trip stopping at Union College first, Tuesday October 3 before battling two league opponents.