ONEONTA, N.Y. - The Hawks held their season opener at home today against tough competitor RPI, though they would fall to the Engineers late in the fourth quarter.

 

THE BASICS

• Final Score: RPI 3 Hartwick 2

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

• Records: RPI (1-0, 0-0 Liberty League) Hartwick (0-1, 0-0 Empire 8)
   

BY THE NUMBERS

• RPII would fight hard for scoring opportunities, tallying 19 shots to Hartwick's 10. The Engineers would also earn 13 penalty corners, 9 of which were in the 3rd quarter. The Hawks, on the other hand, would earn 7 total.

• Ava Reynolds (South Glens Falls, N.Y.) played a phenomenal game in goal, earning a career high of 12 saves.

• With today's loss, the Hawks have fallen to the RPI Engineers for 2 consecutive years.

 

HOW IT HAPPENED

The Hawks and the Engineers took turns trading possession in the first quarter, with each team earning three penalty corners, though no one could capitalize on the scoring opportunities. A wide shot by Empire 8 Player to Watch Dani Hand (Queensbury, N.Y.) was the closest the Hawks came to scoring in the first.

In the second, continuous fouls by RPI would eventually lead to another penalty corner for the Hawks, where Kayla Kinkel (Hopewell Junction, N.Y.) would get the Hawks on the board with the assist coming from Hand.

The Hawks, having struck first in the contest, hoped to keep the momentum going. Hand attempted another shot, while other Empire 8 Player to Watch Hope Angioletti (Hopewell Junction, N.Y.) also posted a shot on goal; Both would be saved by the RPI goalkeeper. Natalie O'Malley (Pleasantville, N.Y.) also fought hard to widen the Hawks' lead, though her two shots on goal were blocked and saved, respectively.

After halftime, it appeared that the 'Wick defense had begun to falter, with RPI able to create opportunities for several penalty corners as well as a penalty stroke, which led to the Engineers' first goal of the day. 

The Hawks answered back quickly, with a beautiful goal from Katelyn Klotz (South Glens Falls, N.Y.) that sailed over the head of the RPI goalkeeper. Kinkel would earn the assist. However, less than two minutes later RPI would tie the game yet again off a penalty corner, their ninth of the third quarter. Despite this offensive onslaught from RPI, Ava Reynolds would make 5 impressive saves in the third.

The fourth and final quarter was a tense one, with pressure building on both sides of the field. Caroline Aspuru (Farmingville, N.Y.) was the only Hawk to make a shot attempt in the fourth, though it would not get the Hawks the lead they were looking for. With 22 seconds left on the clock, RPI would pull ahead to snag the final goal of the day to make the score 3-2.

 

UP NEXT FOR THE HAWKS

The Hawks will look to defend their home turf in an upcoming game against the University of Rochester Yellowjackets on Saturday, September 6th at 4PM.

 

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.