ALFRED, N.Y. - The Hartwick Football team clashed with the Alfred University Saxons in their second consecutive road contest, ultimately falling to their conference foes on Saturday afternoon at Yunevich Stadium.

THE BASICS

• Final Score: Hartwick 24 Alfred 45

• Location: Alfred, N.Y. | Yunevich Stadium

• Records: Hartwick (2-3, 0-3 Empire 8) Alfred (3-2, 1-1 Empire 8)

BY THE NUMBERS

• Dennis Riordan (New City, N.Y.) was effective in the passing game, posting over 300 yards for the first time this season.

• In a game full of big plays, Haven Marascio (Cape Canaveral, Fla.) would take the crown, hauling in a 79 yard touchdown pass.

• The Hawks posted 492 total yards, 29 more than the Saxon offense but struggled to find the end zone.

HOW IT HAPPENED

The Hartwick football team hit the road for the second straight week, facing off against the Alfred University Saxons in search of their first Empire 8 win of the season. Despite a strong start and several explosive plays, the Hawks came up short, falling 45-24 on Saturday.

Alfred opened the game moving the ball efficiently, but the Hartwick defense quickly set the tone with a tackle for loss from Colby Phraner (Walton, N.Y.) and two more stops to force a punt. On offense, Akil Williams (Chester, N.Y.) picked up early yardage as the Hawks tried to establish the ground game. The Saxons, however, struck first on a 24-yard touchdown pass, only for the Hawks to respond immediately with a highlight-reel play — a 79-yard strike from Haven Marascio (Cape Canaveral, Fla.) to even the score at 7-7.

The Hawks carried momentum into the second quarter, pushing into the red zone behind big gains from Nicholas Massaregli (Pelham, N.Y.) and Kyle Trinkle (Monroe, N.Y.), but a missed field goal left the game tied. Alfred capitalized on the opportunity, hitting a 67-yard touchdown through the air and adding another score before halftime to take a 21-7 lead into the break.

Hartwick came out strong in the third, as Matteo Broun (Fishkill, N.Y.) converted a 31-yard field goal to cut into the deficit. The Saxons responded with a 50-yard rushing touchdown and later extended their lead following an interception, building a 35-10 advantage after three quarters.

Coach Rogers' Hawks showed resilience down the stretch. Williams found the end zone on a rushing score, and Trinkle added a 29-yard touchdown reception in the fourth quarter to keep Hartwick battling. Alfred added points of their own to stay in control, ultimately sealing the contest.

Despite the 45-24 defeat, Hartwick showcased grit and big-play ability in key moments, highlighted by Marascio's 79-yard touchdown and a strong two-score fourth quarter push. The Hawks will look to carry that energy forward as they continue conference play.


UP NEXT FOR THE HAWKS

The Hawks will return home, facing off against the St. John Fisher Cardinals on Saturday, October 11 at 3PM.

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.