UTICA, N.Y. - The Hawks bring their win streak to seven games in a row with a 4-1 victory over the Utica University Pioneers.

THE BASICS

• Final Score: Utica 1 Hartwick 4

• Location: Utica, N.Y. | Charles A. Gaetano Stadium

• Records: Utica (4-9, 3-5 Empire 8) Hartwick (9-5, 7-1 Empire 8)
   

BY THE NUMBERS

• The Hawks gave Utica little to work with on the offense while 'Wick dominated in scoring opportunities with a 13-2 advantage on penalty corners and outshooting the Pioneers 17-5.

• Sophomore Kayla Kinkel (Hopewell Junction, N.Y.) led the charge for the Hawks with 3 shots on goal off of 4 total, and also picking up both a goal and an assist to add to her stat sheet. 

• Kendal Woolley (Blue Point, N.Y.) continues her scoring streak with her fourth goal in 4 games, also snagging an assist. Katelyn Klotz (South Glens Falls, N.Y.) also stands out with her penalty stroke goal today marking 17 points in the last 7 games.

• Natalie O'Malley (Pleasantville, N.Y.) would be the final scorer for the Hawks today, solidifying the 4-1 win with her goal.

• Ava Reynolds (South Glens Falls, N.Y.) in goal stood tall as her defense rallied around her to halt the Pioneers, with Reynolds picking up one save for the day. The Pioneers would tally 7 saves in comparison.

HOW IT HAPPENED

The Hawks opened the game with intensity, dominating on Utica's side of the turf and racking up three shots on two penalty corner opportunities within the first few minutes of the game. Klotz would soon take a penalty shot to grab the first goal of the day for Hartwick in the fifth minute, while the defense held Utica to a scoreless quarter.

In similar fashion to the Hawks, the Utica Pioneers would open up the second quarter with a goal– an unassisted score off a breakaway to knot the game at 1-1. The Hawks would answer back with four shots but no goals to end the second.

The third quarter saw arguably the Hawks' best fifteen minutes of play in the game, with Kinkel making a run up the field after receiving a pass from Caroline Aspuru (Farmingville, N.Y.) to find the back of the cage and bring the Hawks to a 2-1 lead. But the Royal Blue and White weren't finished yet; They tallied two more penalty corners, during which Kinkel would send a rocket of a shot up high, and– despite the initial goalkeeper save– assist Woolley on a stellar rebound goal.

Momentum for 'Wick only picked up as consistent fouls in the circle from the Pioneers offered the Hawks back-to-back corner opportunities, where yet another rebound shot would find the back of the cage, this time from O'Malley with Woolley credited on the assist. The Hawks closed out the game with a big conference victory by holding the Pioneers to another scoreless quarter while Reynolds in the cage picked up her lone save of the game.

UP NEXT FOR THE HAWKS

The Hawks will next head to Alfred University for a historic game where they will face off against the Saxons' inaugural field hockey program for the first time on Saturday, October 25th at 4:30 PM.

About Hartwick College:
Hartwick, often referred to as The Life Balance College, is a private liberal arts and sciences institution in Oneonta, N.Y. Through its distinctive FlightPath approach, Hartwick blends academic excellence, career preparation and an active campus life to help students achieve a balanced and fulfilling college experience. With transparent tuition and a focus on health and wellness, Hartwick prepares students for lifelong success—both professionally and personally.