ONEONTA, NY – The Hartwick field hockey picked up their 11th win of the season on Saturday, defeating Keuka 3-1 on the Wright Stadium turf. The victory marks the fifth consecutive full season that the Hawks have won at least 11 games. They are now 11-4 overall and finish the conference season with a program-best seven wins in the Empire 8 (7-1). The Wolves round out their year at 6-10 overall and 2-6 in conference play.
Before the game, the Hawks honored seniors Josie Mowrey (Johnstown, NY/Johnstown), Rebecca Peakes (West Chester, PA/Unionville), Emily Schaub (Brewster, NY/Brewster), and Michaela Parker (Holbrook, NY/Sachem East) for their contributions to the program over the last four years.
The Hawks struck soon after that. Just 56 seconds into the game Julie Ruzzi's (High Falls, NY/Rondout Valley) backhanded shot from near the top of the circle deflected off a defender and into the back of the cage. Ruzzi had another backhanded try midway through the period that had room in the top of the cage but sailed high.
Similar to Hartwick's opener, Keuka equalized in the first minute of the second quarter, against the run of play. McKenzie Hoyt got around a 'Wick defender and slotted one off the far post and in, assisted by Kirstin Billings. Holly Calore (Rocky Point, NY/Rocky Point) had an excellent chance to regain the lead in the 23rd minute but put her try just wide. At the half, the score remained 1-1.
Leah Tolley (Pittsford, NY/Pittsford Mendon) nearly regained the lead not long after the second half began, as her try from 10 yards was blocked. Sydney Gagnon (Chestertown, NY/North Warren Central) did just that not long after, connecting with Ruzzi on a give-and-go off a corner and potting one from 14 yards out, as 'Wick led 2-1 in the 32nd minute. The Hawks had a pair of chances in the remaining minutes of the third, from Schaub and Gagnon, but their tries were saved and wide, respectively.
Gagnon had another go at it miss just wide in the third minute of the fourth quarter, after Ruzzi dished it to her behind her back off a Tolley corner. Schaub would put the game away in the 55th minute. After a beautiful crossover move from Ruzzi gave Tolley the ball all alone at the far post, she mishit her shot and had it cleared off the line by Jillian McGinley. Schaub was right there to clean up, however, for her Senior Day tally. The Hawks had a couple more chances to add on, by Tolley and Ruzzi, but had to settle for the 3-1 victory.
Ruzzi led the way with a season-high seven shots to go with her two assists. Gagnon had five tries at net, and Tolley had four. Madison Maddocks (Garrison, NY/Walter Panas) played the game in net for the Hawks, not needing to make a save but picking up the win nonetheless.
Hartwick dominated the shot count at 25 to 5, including 10 to 1 in shots on net. They also had the advantage in penalty corners, at 8-0.
'Wick returns to action on Tuesday, November 2 in the Empire 8 Semifinals against Utica, as they look for their third consecutive trip to the Empire 8 Championship. The action begins at 7 p.m. on the Wright Stadium turf.
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