Final Score: Hartwick 3, Utica 2
 
Venue: Utica, NY – Charles A. Gaetano Stadium
 
Records: Hartwick (12-4, 5-2 E8); Utica (6-10, 3-4 E8)
 
Recap: Hartwick held off a late charge from host Utica in the dying minutes in a 3-2 victory which sealed a spot in the upcoming Empire 8 Conference playoffs for the Hawks. Perry Willett (Huntington, VT/Mount Mansfield Union) scored twice, including giving the Hawks a critical insurance goal with seven and a half minutes left, and Brooke Singer (Johnson City, NY/Maine-Endwell) added one tally for 'Wick. A Willett tip-in would give Hartwick a 1-0 lead 20:52 into the contest with Tegan Robinson (Mechanicville, NY/Mechanicville) assisting. The Hawks doubled their total 8:03 later as Singer unleashed a blast from a Rebecca Peakes (West Chester, PA/Unionville) corner for a two-goal cushion. The Pioneers would cut their deficit in half on their first shot on cage from Jeslyn Files with 2:47 remaining before the break. The half would end 2-1 in Hartwick's favor with the Hawks holding an 8-4 edge in shots and 6-1 advantage in corners. The game remained just a 2-1 game for 27 and a half minutes until Willett fired home for her 13^th tally of the season with just 7:29 showing on the clock. Sabrina Whitehouse answered right back for the hosts 3:32 later to pull within one. The Pioneers had the Hawks pinned in their end in the final minute but they weathered the storm to secure the victory. Hartwick finished with a 16-9 shot advantage. The Hawks earned 13 corners to the Pioneers' five. Allyson Osborne (Nottingham, PA/Solanco) made three saves in cage for 'Wick. Carly Tebolt stopped six for UC.
 
Notes: The Hawks advance to the Empire 8 playoffs for the second time in three years. They will play in the semifinals, which will take place at top-seeded Washington & Jefferson in Washington, PA, on Friday, November 2. Official seeding will be finalized on Saturday after the conclusion of the regular season. With the win the Hawks even their record against the Pioneers at 9-9 all-time. 'Wick also surpasses last season's win total of 11.
 
Up Next: Hartwick wraps up the regular season on Saturday, October 27 against St. John Fisher beginning at 11 a.m.