ONEONTA, NY – Hartwick scored the game's first eight goals and didn't look back in a 12-1 defeat of visiting Houghton College on Saturday at Wright Stadium. With the victory, the Hawks improve to 6-2 overall and 2-1 in the Empire 8. It marks the first 6-2 start for the program since the 2005 season. The Highlanders drop to 1-8 and 0-2.
           
The Hawks scored just nine second into the game and led by a count of 6-0 after the first quarter. They led 8-0 before the Highlanders got on the score board and the score was 8-1 at halftime. Hartwick tacked on another goal in the third quarter and three more in the fourth for the victory.
           
Sam Ferguson (Baldwin, NY/Baldwin) netted three goals to lead 'Wick. Tim Watson (Wrentham, MA/King Philip Regional) had season-highs of six points and five assists. Justin Curreri (Miller Place, NY/Rocky Point) contributed two goals and an assist and Wyatt Long (Hardwick, NJ/Blair Academy) found the net twice.
           
Brett Maguire (Adams Center, NY/South Jefferson) recorded a goal and an assist. Chris VanDemark (Painted Post, NY/Corning-Painted Post) dished out two assists. Mike Majchrzak (Plantsville, CT/Southington), Jack Maloney (Orangeburg, NY/Tappan Zee), and Zach Borges (East Rockaway, NY/Lynbrook) registered one goal apiece.
           
The Hawks out-shot the Highlanders 32-10 in the contest. They also doubled up the visitors in ground balls, 40-20, and won 15-of-18 face-offs.
           
David Bianculli (Charlton, MA/Shepard Hill Regional) registered 10 ground balls in the game. He also went 12-for-12 in face-offs. Garrison Wojtas (Hauppauge, NY/Hauppauge) and Tanner Patterson (East Longmeadow, MA/East Longmeadow) each contributed four ground balls. Wojtas and Matthew Puzo (Apalachin, NY/Vestal) each caused a pair of Highlander turnovers.
           
Connor O'Brien (Duxbury, MA/Duxbury) and Christian Olsen (Glenville, NY/Scotia-Glenville) split time in cage for the Hawks. O'Brien made two saves in the first half with Olsen stopping one in the second.
           
Andrew Skahan netted the lone Houghton goal. Bryce Bellan stopped five in the Highlander net.
           
Hartwick is next in action one week for today on Saturday, April 14. The Hawks travel to #13 Stevens for a 4 p.m. match.