TROY, NY – Katie Meuse's (Londonderry, NH/Londonderry) three-point day lifted the Hartwick field hockey team to a win in their 2019 season opener, as the Hawks squeezed out a 2-1 win over host Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute. 'Wick starts off their season the same way they started the previous three, with a one-goal win over the Engineers; as a result, RPI drops to 0-1 for the fourth consecutive year.
The first quarter was fairly quiet, with just three shots total. Sydney Gagnon (Chestertown, NY/North Warren Central) had the Hawks' two shots, in a strong start to her collegiate career. 'Wick dominated the second quarter, outshooting RPI, 11-1. They had a strong scoring opportunity about four minutes in, when a Gagnon shot from the left side was saved and bounced right to Bella Wheeler (Cazenovia, NY/Cazenovia). Wheeler's backhand was destined for the top left corner, but was knocked down by the Engineers' Claire Schmittinger 4:02 into the period. The Hawks were not deterred, however. They kept up the onslaught of shots, and eventually broke through with 3:40 remaining on a Wheeler goal. Meuse carried the ball down the right side and into the circle, then saucered a pass to Wheeler, who tapped it into the cage for Hartwick's first goal and lead of the season. The Hawks carried that 1-0 lead into the half.
The third quarter saw an RPI push to start out, as they outshot Hartwick 6-1 over the first 8:08. None of those saw the back of the net however, as Allyson Osborne (Nottingham, PA/Solanco) made four saves and the remaining attempt was blocked. 'Wick fired back with five shots of their own over the rest of the period, but could not convert either. Meuse gave the Hawks some much needed insurance just 2:17 into the fourth, as she carried the ball down the right side and toward the goal line, sliding it under the charging keeper and into the goal. RPI got on the board with 2:41 left, via a Lauren Roy tally from Brianna Duba, but it proved too little, too late, and the Hawks left Troy victorious.
Meuse led all comers with her three points on a goal and assist, taking five shots as well. Gagnon had a very strong debut, taking a game-high seven shots (four on goal). Wheeler was the only other Hawk with three shots, putting two on goal and one in goal. Osborne did all of the goaltending, making six saves on seven chances.
Charisse Stakutis led the Engineers with three shots (two on goal), while Duba, Sydney Luke, and Olivia Jackson had two shots apiece. Jen Richardson and Marissa Florio each spent a half in net, with the former allowing one goal on six shots and the latter letting up one on three chances.
The Hawks had a strong shot advantage, taking 21 to the hosts' 11, including a 12-7 lead in shots on goal. RPI had seven corners to 'Wick's three, including a 4-0 advantage in the third quarter, but could not convert on any of them.
Hartwick is back at it on Wednesday for their home opener, as they take on rival SUNY Oneonta at 5 p.m. at Wright Stadium.
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