ONEONTA, N.Y. - Despite a valiant effort from the No.2 seed Hartwick Hawks in Empire 8 semifinal play at home, the Hawks fell just short in overtime to the No.3 seed Nazareth Golden Flyers.

THE BASICS

• Final Score: Nazareth 3 Hartwick 2

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

• Records: Nazareth (14-5, 8-2 Empire 8) Hartwick (11-6, 9-1 Empire 8)
   

BY THE NUMBERS

• Nazareth and Hartwick were both evenly matched in nearly every statistical category, though the Hawks held an 11-8 advantage in penalty corners.

• Katelyn Klotz (South Glens Falls, N.Y.) led the Hawks this afternoon on the offensive, putting 4 of 5 shots on goal. Alongside her was Kayla Kinkel (Hopewell Junction, N.Y.) and Hope Angioletti (Hopewell Junction, N.Y.), who each earned 3 shots on goal apiece. Kinkel would earn one goal today, assisted by junior Mackenzie Hubbard (High Falls, N.Y.).

• Klotz would also tally a goal for herself off a penalty stroke, going 4-5 in penalty stroke attempts this season alone.

• On defense, Ava Reynolds (South Glens Falls, N.Y.) for the Hawks came up with 10 big saves, including a great save on a Nazareth penalty stroke opportunity. Nazareth would also earn 10 saves, one of which would go to a defender.

HOW IT HAPPENED

Both teams came out of the gate hot, though the Hawks would strike early to draw a penalty corner, where Angioletti would take the first shot of the game. The Nazareth goalkeeper stood tall, though 'Wick would come back to score their first goal after Hubbard carried the ball into the circle for Kinkel to tip it into the cage. However, the Golden Flyers would answer back quickly two minutes later to knot the game at 1-1. Despite several more offensive attempts off of penalty corners, the Hawks' defensive unit led by Reynolds kept them at bay.

Kinkel opened the second quarter with a shot on goal, though the goalie for the Golden Flyers was immovable. It was a battle in the midfield with the Hawks leading in shots, until a breakaway opportunity from the Golden Flyers spelled trouble for 'Wick. Reynolds would make a powerful stop though a penalty stroke opportunity would be given to Nazareth in the 26th minute. A shot towards the bottom left corner forced Reynolds to make a tremendous diving save, successfully keeping the Golden Flyers shut out for the remainder of the second quarter.

Both teams again held each other scoreless in the third– with a Golden Flyer defender even recording a defensive save on a shot attempt by Makayla Bales (Sidney, N.Y.)– despite four penalty corner opportunities for the Hawks and none for Nazareth. 

Momentum only picked up in the fourth, with Hawks again taking a lead off a stellar penalty stroke goal by Klotz with less than ten minutes remaining in regulation play. However, Nazareth again proved that they would not be shaken, tallying their second goal of the day only five minutes later and again knotting the score. Despite three more penalty corner attempts from the Royal Blue and White, the Hawks could not find the lead to prevent overtime play.

With ten minutes of overtime play on the clock, both teams seemed to feel the pressure with their seasons on the line. Brianna Cottrell (Holland, N.Y.) was a standout on defense, halting a threatening chance on a breakaway at midfield to keep 'Wick in the running. However, the Hawks were plagued with a green card early to give a woman-up advantage to Nazareth for two minutes, followed by consistent errors in the defensive circle to give Nazareth three consecutive penalty corner opportunities. Despite immense effort from the Hawks, Nazareth was able to capitalize on a scoring opportunity and secure the sudden victory nearly five minutes into overtime play. The Hawks would fall 3-2 to the Nazareth Golden Flyers in semifinal action, concluding a great season just short of Empire 8 Championship Finals.

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.