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Hartwick College Athletics

2025 Mayor's Cup Champions - Hartwick Women's Soccer
Marquis Jones-McKinney
1
Skidmore SKD (0-1-2, 0-0-0)
1
Hartwick WICK (2-0-2, 0-0-0)
Skidmore SKD
(0-1-2, 0-0-0)
1
Final
1
Hartwick WICK
(2-0-2, 0-0-0)
Score By Periods
Team 1 2 F
Skidmore SKD 1 0 1
Hartwick WICK 1 0 1

Game Recap: Women's Soccer |

Hawks Capture First Mayor's Cup Since 2018 with 1-1 Draw Against Skidmore

ONEONTA, N.Y. – The Hartwick Women's Soccer team fought to a hard-earned 1-1 draw against Skidmore College on Sunday afternoon to wrap up the 29th Annual Division III Mayor's Cup. The result secured the Hawks their first Mayor's Cup title since 2018, crowning them as the 2025 champions.
 

THE BASICS

  • Final Score: Skidmore 1 Hartwick 1

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

  • Records: Skidmore (0-1-2, 0-0 Liberty League) Hartwick (2-0-2, 0-0 Empire 8) 

 

BY THE NUMBERS 

  • The Hawks have captured their fourth Mayor's Cup title in program history, their first since 2018 and the second Cup for Head Coach Brian Knapp.

  • Millie Caldon (Gilmanton, N.H.) has been surgical in the Mayor's Cup, tallying three goals in four games over her two year career.

  • Mikayla Piersa (Huntington, N.Y.) has been stellar in between the posts, collecting five saves on the day, racking up over 270 minutes without a score to start her collegiate career.

 

HOW IT HAPPENED

The Hartwick Hawks defended their home field in style, clinching the 29th Annual Division III Mayor's Cup with a gritty 1-1 draw against Skidmore on Sunday. Entering the match, Hartwick needed at least a tie and an Oneonta loss to secure the title—and the Blue and White delivered.

The contest started with adversity as Skidmore struck early, finding the top left corner from just outside the box only two minutes into play. Unfazed, Hartwick regrouped and ramped up the intensity, with the back line—anchored by captain Jenna Mierek (Prospect, Conn.)—shutting down attacks and initiating counters.

Mierek would play a pivotal role in the equalizer, delivering a pinpoint free-kick service into the box in the 14th minute. Ella Grupe (Freehold, N.Y.) rose through traffic to redirect the ball to Millie Caldon, who buried it near post to level the score at 1-1.

Skidmore pushed back with chances late in the first half, including a shot in the 30th minute turned away by keeper Piersa. Defensive standouts like Trinity Irizarry (Greenwood Lake, N.Y.) and Olivia Farnham (Millerton, N.Y.) ensured the Hawks kept the Thoroughbreds from regaining the lead.

The second half featured relentless pressure from both sides as Nelle Slavitsky (Conklin, N.Y.) was dominant in the midfield for the Hawks. Piersa came up big again with a diving stop on a Skidmore rocket from 18 yards out. Sara Moore (East Granby, Conn.) notched the Hawks' lone shot of the half, and despite Skidmore testing the defense late, Hartwick held firm until the final whistle.

For their efforts, Millie Caldon was named the tournament's Offensive MVP, while Irizarry claimed Defensive MVP honors. The victory marks Hartwick's first Mayor's Cup crown since 2018, a testament to their resilience and team-first mentality.

2025 MAYOR'S CUP ALL-TOURNAMENT TEAM
Offensive MVP - #34 Millie Caldon

Defensive MVP - #3 Trinity Irizarry

Hartwick - #7 Nelle Slavitsky

Hartwick - #11 Ella Grupe

Hartwick - #18 Olivia Farnham

Hartwick - #23 Jenna Mierek

RPI - # 3 Genevieve Ricci

RPI - #16 Delaney McMorris

RPI - #28 Maddy Kaminski

Oneonta - #11 Violet Mattoni

Oneonta - #23 Nikki DiOrio

Skidmore - #13 Ellianna Caporusso

Skidmore - #21 Mara Grace

 

COMMENTS FROM HEAD COACH BRIAN KNAPP
"Today the team showed an incredible amount of heart with the performance they put in. We conceded early and didn't let it affect us. We showed the willingness to adapt throughout the game and the commitment to work for and support each other for 90 minutes. They should be so proud of themselves for keeping the Mayor's Cup in Oneonta and bringing it back to Hartwick for the first time since 2018."

 

UP NEXT FOR THE HAWKS

The Hawks will head to SUNY Geneseo to open Empire 8 conference play with a 2PM matchup against the Knights on Saturday, September 13th.

 

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.

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