KEUKA PARK, N.Y. - The Hartwick field hockey team closed out regular season play with a big win over the Keuka College Wolves, ending with a nearly perfect 9-1 conference record.

THE BASICS

• Final Score: Keuka 1 Hartwick 6

• Location: Keuka Park, N.Y. | Jephson Community Athletic Complex

• Records: Keuka (2-14, 2-7 Empire 8) Hartwick (11-5, 9-1 Empire 8)
   

BY THE NUMBERS

• The Hawks were electric on both ends of the field, posting 20 shots while holding the Wolves to only 4.

• 'Wick also held an immense 14-2 advantage in penalty corners, with half of their goals today coming off of corner shots.

• A total of 9 different Hawks would earn points in their final matchup of the regular season.

• Makayla Bales (Sidney, N.Y.) stood out on the offense, earning herself a brace for the evening. She would be assisted on both of her goals by Natalie O'Malley (Pleasantville, N.Y.).

• Sydney Thomas (Windsor, Conn.) made an appearance in goal for the Hawks during the second half, earning herself 2 saves, while Keuka's goalkeeper would tally 5.

HOW IT HAPPENED

The Hawks gained possession early on in the contest, earning the first penalty corner only a minute into the game as Katelyn Klotz (South Glens Falls, N.Y.) tallied the first shot on goal. Despite posting three more shots in the first quarter, the Hawks were unable to get past the Wolves' defensive unit. 

However, the Royal Blue and White came to life in the second quarter to force back-to-back penalty corner opportunities, allowing Bales and O'Malley to combine for a nice rebound goal in the sixteenth minute. The Hawks weren't done yet, though; Eight minutes later, Klotz would get her first goal of the day on the board off an assist from Hope Angioletti (Hopewell Junction, N.Y.) during yet another penalty corner. With Keuka unable to clear the ball from their end of the field, Bales and O'Malley again became a stellar duo to keep the ball in the circle during the Hawks' seventh corner opportunity of the game, with Bales securing her second goal of the game and O'Malley tacking on another assist.

Keuka would take their first shot of the game in the third quarter– only to be halted by first-year Thomas in the cage– while the Hawks' continued their crusade on the offense. Molly Schoenfeldt (Vestal, N.Y.) would show off some strength on the free hits, as she was able to send a long pass into the circle where Lexi Cheeseman (Owego, N.Y.) awaited to tip the ball into the cage for a nice goal.

Action never slowed in the fourth quarter; Much like the prior matchup against Alfred, 'Wick would again show how well-rounded the team is on the offense, as Kylie Krawiec (Burlington, N.J.) would bury her first goal of the season off a stellar insert from Klotz on another corner. Erica Leeson (Auburn, N.Y.) and Zoe Wagner (Lockport, N.Y.) as a duo would follow up to bring the Hawks up to a 6-goal lead.

The Keuka Wolves would fight hard in the final quarter, forcing their only two penalty corners of the day, where they were able to sneak a goal past Thomas to get one goal on the board in the final two minutes. Their late rally was not enough to overcome the Hawks, however, who ended the day with yet another conference win under their belt to close out regular season play.

UP NEXT FOR THE HAWKS

With the Hawks having clinched the #2 seed and receiving an automatic bye in the first round of conference play, they will now await the highest remaining seed from the first round and will host semifinal action at home on Wednesday, November 5th at 2 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.