ONEONTA, N.Y. - The Hawks advance to Empire 8 Championship Semifinals with a big 3-1 win at home over the No.5 Utica University Pioneers.

THE BASICS

• Final Score: Utica 1 Hartwick 3

• Location: Oneonta, N.Y. | Elmore Field

• Records: Utica (8-6-5, 5-2-4 Empire 8) Hartwick (9-3-6, 5-2-4 Empire 8)
   

BY THE NUMBERS

• The two teams were evenly matched in both conference rankings and statistics for the night, though the Hawks would hold a 13-10 edge in shots. Millie Caldon (Gilmanton, N.H.) would lead the drive for the Hawks with 5 total shots.

• The Hawks would also compile 5 corner kicks to outweigh Utica's 3.

• It was first-year Ella Grupe (Freehold, N.Y.) to get the Hawks on the board first off a rebound pass from Sara Moore (East Granby, Conn.).

• Dahlia Landry (Manhattan, N.Y.) was also a bright spot for the Hawks on offense, earning herself a brace and bringing her season goal total to 3. Both Caldon and Jenna Mierek (Prospect, Conn.) would chip in for assists on her first goal of the night.

• In goal for the Hawks, Mikayla Piersa (Huntington, N.Y.) made 2 great saves, both in the second half. The goalkeeper for the Pioneers would snag 3 in comparison.

HOW IT HAPPENED

It was an intense battle on a rainy Oneonta day between the No.5 Utica University Pioneers and the hosting No.4 Hartwick College Hawks, with both teams fighting for a semifinal spot in the 2025 Empire 8 Championships. The Hawks looked to establish dominance early, with Jenna Mierek making the first shot on goal attempt in the eighth minute. The Royal Blue and White would go on to snag four other shots in the first seventeen minutes of play. Utica was unable to get on the offense until the 20th minute, when the Pioneers sent a shot just out left. The teams went back and forth in the midfield, with Caldon leading the charge in shots. As the clock ticked down, the Hawks were able to put a corner kick on the board, jumpstarting an offensive attack that led to Grupe sinking a goal from Moore with less than three minutes in the first half. 

Intensity ramped up in the second period as both teams were aware of how their playoff runs were on the line. Still, the Hawks showed grit and determination to get the ball into Utica's defensive zone, with Mierek, Caldon and Landry combining with stellar passing in the box to sink a goal and bring the lead up to 2. However, Utica would answer back quickly off the kick off, making a run up the field and sneaking a goal past Piersa only thirty seconds later. 

With the game far from over, the battle in the midfield continued, with Hawks dominating possession but the Pioneers' defense standing tall. Both keepers would tally up several impressive saves as the threat of overtime loomed, but it would be Landry on her second goal of the night and third goal this season to bring the Hawks over the top in the 84th minute. Utica would fight back hard to make two more shot attempts in the final few minutes, but it would not be enough to overcome the deficit. The Hawks would walk away with a hard-fought and well-deserved 3-1 victory and a punched ticket to the Empire 8 Championship Semifinal round.

COMMENTS FROM HEAD COACH BRIAN KNAPP
"Today was such a great result for a young team that only has 2 players with any postseason experience at collegiate level. To go out and beat any time twice in a season is always tough, and knowing how many tight games we've had with Utica over the last few years, this was especially satisfying. The team has dedicated themselves to each other and it's so evident every time they step onto that pitch. The commitment and sacrifice from the group as a whole.is such a credit to them all. We also got to see some great goals. We had said we saved all our scoring on Wednesday for the playoffs and we certainly showed that today. We'll enjoy this for the night and then all our focus is on preparing for a trip to Brockport next Wednesday."

UP NEXT FOR THE HAWKS

The Hawks will advance to semifinals where they will face off against No.1 SUNY Brockport on the road on Wednesday, November 5th at 4 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.