ONEONTA, N.Y. – The Hartwick Flag Football team continued its strong start, defending home turf with a 20-13 victory over Geneseo for its second straight win at Wright Stadium on Saturday afternoon.
THE BASICS
Final Score: Geneseo 13 Hartwick 20
Location: Oneonta, N.Y. | Wright Stadium
Records: Geneseo (3-3, 1-1 Empire 8) • Hartwick (2-0, 2-0 Empire 8)
HOW IT HAPPENED
Coming off a historic win over Elmira in the program's inaugural game, the Hawks looked to keep their momentum rolling in their first-ever matchup with conference foe SUNY Geneseo.
Defense set the tone early as both teams were held scoreless in the first quarter under chilly conditions. Hartwick totaled 39 yards in the opening frame, highlighted by a 13-yard reception from Anne Stanavich (Amsterdam, NY) and a 16-yard grab from Bailey McCoy (Otego, N.Y.). Ellie Kalbach (Spring City, Pa.) led the defensive effort, holding the Knights to just 28 yards while recording three pulled flags and a pass breakup.
Hartwick broke through in the second quarter as Audra Doll (Greene, NY) connected with Zoe Sullivan (Sidney, NY) for the game's first score. The Hawks extended their lead when Kendra Charland (Albany, NY) intercepted a pass and returned it 37 yards for a touchdown, giving Hartwick a 12-0 advantage. Doll continued to move the offense downfield with key runs, but a red zone turnover halted another scoring opportunity.
Geneseo threatened late in the half, but Hartwick's defense stood firm. Reese Malfetonne (Holtsville, NY) recorded a sack, and Charland added another stop in the backfield to force a punt, sending the Hawks into halftime with a shutout intact.
After a scoreless start to the third quarter, Geneseo broke through with a seven-play drive to cut the deficit in half. Hartwick responded with a 10-play drive but came up short on fourth down, giving the Knights momentum heading into the final quarter.
Geneseo took its first lead of the game early in the fourth, capping a long drive to go ahead by one. The Hawks answered immediately as Bailey McCoy hauled in a 54-yard touchdown pass from Doll. Doll then converted the two-point attempt with a strong run to extend the lead.
Hartwick's defense sealed the win late, highlighted by back-to-back sacks from first-year standout Ziyon Harrison (Clay, NY). A late turnover gave Geneseo one final chance, but the Hawks' defense held strong to secure the 20-13 victory and remain unbeaten in Empire 8 play.
Doll turned in another stellar performance, throwing for 133 yards and two touchdowns while adding 151 yards on the ground for a game-high 284 total yards. McCoy led the receiving corps with two catches for 70 yards. Defensively, Kalbach recorded a team-high 11 stops, while Harrison added eight tackles, including two sacks.
UP NEXT FOR THE HAWKS
The Hawks will hit the road for their first-ever away contest, facing off against Russell Sage on Tuesday, March 31st 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.
