PURCHASE, N.Y. - In their 2026 season opener, the Hartwick Hawks made a commanding statement on the road, defeating the Manhattanville Valiants, 21-9, on Friday evening at GoValiants.com Field.

THE BASICS
Final Score: Hartwick 21 Manhattanville 9
Location: Purchase, N.Y. | GoValiants.com Field
Records: Hartwick (1-0, 0-0 Empire 8) • Manhattanville (0-1, 0-0 Skyline)

BY THE NUMBERS

• Jackie Owens, Abby Skurka, Adelyn Esce, Shea Holloway all picked up their first collegiate points in their debuts.

• Parker Laurin builds on a standout debut season with a statement, posting a game high six goals, to go with two assists.

• Lily Dempsey was a dangerous playmaker on the turf, pouring in four goals and four assists.

HOW IT HAPPENED
The Hawks wasted no time in their first-ever women's lacrosse meeting with Manhattanville, soaring out of the gates to begin the 2026 campaign.

Parker Laurin (Saratoga Springs, N.Y.) opened the scoring at the 13:53 mark. First-year Abby Skurka (Cumberland, RI) followed with her first collegiate goal, igniting a 5-0 Hartwick run. Just over a minute later, Skurka struck again, assisted by Ashley Ament (Sayreville, N.J.). Laurin added her second goal before completing a first-quarter hat trick, with Lily Dempsey (Glenville, N.Y.) earning the assist.

Manhattanville responded with three straight goals, beginning late in the first quarter. Jackie Owens (Poughquag, NY) netted her first collegiate goal at 11:43 in the second quarter before captain Jammie Decker (Penn Yan, N.Y.) restored control with back-to-back tallies at 9:32 and 9:17. Dempsey and Adelyn Esce (Cicero, NY) were credited with assists on the sequence. Shea Holloway (Fort Johnson, NY) added her first career goal on a woman-up opportunity at 8:56.

The Valiants answered with another three-goal stretch, but Hartwick closed the half strong with woman-down goals from Laurin and Ament. Laurin netted her fourth of the half off Esce's second assist, and Ament converted a free-position attempt as time expired to give the Hawks an 11-6 lead at the break.

After a competitive second quarter, Hartwick took full control in the third, erupting for eight unanswered goals while holding Manhattanville scoreless. Dempsey dominated the frame with four goals and two assists, setting up Laurin's fifth and helping Skurka secure a hat trick in her collegiate debut.

Decker opened the fourth quarter with her fourth goal at 14:43, and Laurin added her second assist of the game. Maura Donoghue (Paramus, N.J.) recorded her first goal of the season, assisted by Lauryn Bigwarfe (Potsdam, N.Y.), to cap the scoring.

In their first season-opening road win since 2017, the Hawks matched their 21-goal output from three contests last season, starting 2026 on a strong note.

UP NEXT FOR THE HAWKS
The Hawks will prepare to hit the road again, facing off against Kean University on Saturday, February 28th at 1PM.

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.