ONEONTA, N.Y. – Hartwick Football concluded its 2025 season with a comprehensive Senior Day performance, delivering a dominant effort against Hilbert on Saturday afternoon at Wright Stadium.

THE BASICS

• Final Score: Hilbert 0 Hartwick 52

• Location: Oneonta, N.Y. | Wright Stadium

• Records: Hilbert (0-10, 0-6 Liberty League) Hartwick (4-6, 1-6 Empire 8) 

BY THE NUMBERS

• A constant force all season, Ben Kirkland anchored the Hartwick defense with a team-high 13 tackles, finishing the 2025 campaign with an impressive 100 stops.

• The backfield duo of Akil Williams and Nick Massaregli dominated the ground game, combining for 219 yards on just 21 carries. Williams posted 119 yards on 14 attempts while Massaregli added 100 yards on nine touches.

• Hartwick caps off their 2025 season with a complete team performance, outgaining Hilbert 437-138.

HOW IT HAPPENED
Before kickoff, the Hawks honored their 2025 Senior Class: Benjamin Kirkland (Buffalo, N.Y.), Dennis Riordan (New City, N.Y.), Jackson Dorf (Leland, N.C.), Marquis Jones-McKinney (Astoria, N.Y.), Brennan McNeilly (Lindenhurst, N.Y.), Haven Marascio (Cape Canaveral, Fla.), Dylan Dwyer (Chester, N.Y.), Matthew Amaturo (Warwick, N.Y.), Nicholas Kodis (Glen Cove, N.Y.), Dylan Olson (Centerport, N.Y.), Daniel Ely (Burdett, N.Y.), Patrick Conteh (Salisbury, Md.), and Kyle Trinkle (Monroe, N.Y.).

Hartwick came out flying as the defense forced an early stop, setting up the offense for the game's opening statement drive. Akil Williams (Chester, N.Y.) powered the ground attack and capped the 10-play march with a 7-yard touchdown to put the Hawks in front.

Hilbert's offense never found its footing, with the Hawk defense swarming from all angles. Captains Ben Kirkland and Brennan McNeilly consistently disrupted the line of scrimmage, shutting down any momentum the Hawks faced. The offense kept its foot on the gas as Nick Massaregli (Pelham, N.Y.) punched in a 10-yard touchdown, building on his earlier 30-yard burst to give Hartwick back-to-back scoring drives.

On the defensive line, Colby Phraner (Walton, N.Y.) made his presence known by forcing a fumble that was recovered by Michael Vurchio (Ronkonkoma, N.Y.), though the Hawks would later punt.

The second quarter brought more fireworks. Hilbert's quarterback tried to improvise on the run, but Robert Kennedy (Hastings-on-Hudson, N.Y.) tipped the pass into the waiting arms of Vurchio, who raced 70 yards for a pick-six. Massaregli added another explosive gain—this time a screen pass from Riordan that he turned into a 30-plus-yard dash. Dennis Riordan continued the aerial attack, hitting Miles Perry (Ilion, N.Y.) over the middle for a 15-yard touchdown.

The Hawks opened the second half the same way they ended the first—rolling. Riordan found Haven Marascio down the sideline for a 31-yard touchdown, followed by a 60-yard house call from Williams as Hartwick extended its lead to 42–0.

Riordan later connected with Latrell Willis (Warwick, N.Y.) on an 8-yard strike, giving the senior quarterback his third passing touchdown of the afternoon. Matteo Broun (Fishkill, N.Y.) closed out the day with a 26-yard field goal as Hartwick capped a strong season with a dominant victory.

The Hawks displayed resilience and growth throughout the year, doubling their win total from last season and building momentum for what's ahead.

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.