ALBANY, NY – Katie Meuse's (Londonderry, NH/Londonderry) career night led the way for the Hartwick field hockey team on Wednesday night in Albany, as the visitors downed host Sage, 5-1. The win lifts 'Wick to 10-5 overall, marking the program's fourth straight year of double-digit victories. The Hawks are also now 4-1 in the Empire 8; the four wins could prove to be enough to clinch a playoff spot, but they will have two opportunities for at least a fifth over the final two weekends of the season. The loss drops the Gators to 7-9 overall and 0-5 in the conference.
The Hawks started their dominance a few minutes into the first quarter, putting up nine shots over the first fifteen minutes. Leah Tolley (Pittsford, NY/Pittsford Mendon) got the scoring started in the seventh minute, putting one in off a pass from Meuse. After three more 'Wick shots and two corners, Sydney Gagnon (Chestertown, NY/North Warren Central) got her first of the evening, under two minutes after she had a try stopped by a defensive save. She doubled the Hawks lead at 13:00 on an unassisted tally. Sage got their first shot of the night near the end of the quarter, but Allyson Osborne (Nottingham, PA/Solanco) saved Jenna Egan's try to keep the score 2-0 after one. The 2-0 score remained the same all the way to the half, although not for lack of effort on Hartwick's part. They had four shots and six corners in the second quarter, but could not convert on any of those opportunities.
Meuse scored to extend her side's lead out to three a little past midway through the third quarter. She received a pass on the run a couple yards past midfield, dodged a Gator defender, and found herself on the break. From there, it was as simple as charging towards keeper Abigayle Greier, going right, and sliding one into the cage at 38:31. Sage got it back a few minutes later when Kathryn Gallagher found Sara O'Connor for the Gators' first goal of the night in the 43rd minute, but the Hawks still found themselves in good position headed into the fourth with a two-goal advantage.
After a couple more shots and corners to start the final quarter for Sage, Hartwick took back control of the game. They scored twice in a 31-second span in the 56th minute, putting the game away. Rebecca Peakes (Mechanicville, NY/Shenendehowa) got her first of the year at 55:24, coming shortly after she took a corner. After returning the ball to play, she snuck over to the left post, where Meuse found her all alone for the tap-in goal. Gagnon got her second of the evening at 55:55, again assisted by Meuse. This time Meuse found the goal-scorer even with the right post, as Gagnon smoothly slid the ball into the far left corner for her team-high 12th goal of the year. She is also tied for second in the conference in goals, with Nazareth's Gianna Palma at five. The Hawks had a couple more chances over the rest of the game, but settled for the 5-1 win.
Meuse paced the Hawks with a career-high five points, coming via a goal on three shots and three assists. Gagnon led all players with five shots, converting two into goals, while Allyson Quirk (Longmeadow, MA/Longmeadow) was right behind with four attempts, two of which went on target. Osborne stopped five shots on six chances, earning her tenth win of the season in the process.
Gallagher, O'Connor, and Egan each led Sage with two shots each; two of Egan's tries went on target, while O'Connor and Gallagher had one shot on goal apiece. Greier had ten saves on the evening, allowing five balls past her.
Hartwick handled the game from start to finish, outshooting Sage, 24-8, as well as 16-6 in shots on goal. They also had a massive lead in penalty corners, at 15-3.
The Hawks return to action with a chance to clinch this Saturday, October 26, when they host Utica in a battle of second-place clubs. Hartwick's eight seniors will be honored before the game for their contributions to the program.
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