ALBANY, N.Y. – The Hartwick Flag Football team suffered its first loss on Tuesday afternoon, falling to the Russell Sage Gators in a heartbreaking defeat in the program's first road contest.

THE BASICS
Final Score: Hartwick 28 Russell Sage 31
Location: Albany, N.Y. | ACPHS Athletic Complex
Records: Hartwick (2-1, 2-1 Empire 8) • Russell Sage (1-1, 1-1 Empire 8)

HOW IT HAPPENED
The Hawks opened with possession in their first-ever matchup against the Russell Sage Gators in flag football, looking to keep their conference record unblemished. Wick pieced together a nine-play, 36-yard drive but were forced to punt on their opening possession as the defense trotted onto the field for its first action.

Coach Zurn's defense posted a strong effort, forcing a three-and-out. Kendra Charland (Albany, NY) jumpstarted the stop with a tackle in the backfield, while Reese Malfettone (Holtsville, NY) pressured the Sage passer on third down, forcing an errant throw and a punt to give the offense the ball back. Co-Offensive Player of the Week Audra Doll (Greene, NY) wasted little time making an impact with her feet, picking up first down after first down. Doll later escaped the pocket and delivered a throw on the run to a wide-open Ellie Kalbach (Spring City, Pa.) for the opening score, hauling in a 39-yard touchdown. Doll then found Anne Stanavich (Amsterdam, NY) in the back of the end zone for the two-point conversion.

Russell Sage responded with a lengthy 13-play drive, marching down the field for its first touchdown of the day to pull within two. The Hawk offense stalled on its next possession before the Gators found their second score of the quarter, taking a 13-8 advantage into the break as the Blue and White were kept off the scoreboard in the second quarter.

Russell Sage regained possession to begin the half and found the end zone again, extending the lead to 19-8. The Hawks answered with a nine-play, 66-yard drive of their own. Stanavich carved up the Gator defense on the ground, earning a first-and-goal opportunity before crossing the plane for the score. The two-point attempt was unsuccessful, leaving Hartwick trailing by five.

Hartwick's defense then hunkered down, stopping Russell Sage in just five plays. The Hawks capitalized late in the third quarter as Doll spotted Bailey McCoy (Otego, N.Y.), who did the rest, breaking free for a 33-yard touchdown. Doll and Stanavich executed the one-point conversion to give the Hawks a 21-19 lead heading into the fourth quarter.

The Gators answered with a 10-play drive for the go-ahead score, but Lexi Cheeseman (Owego, N.Y.) halted the two-point attempt at the goal line, keeping the deficit at 25-21. With momentum, the Hawks marched downfield before executing a reverse to perfection as McCoy fired a strike to Stanavich in the end zone to retake the lead. Hartwick converted the one-point try to move ahead 28-25 with 5:54 remaining.

Both defenses came up with key stops as Russell Sage was forced to punt and the Hawks went three-and-out on a crucial drive, giving the Gators a final opportunity. With 1:33 left, Russell Sage executed a four-play, 45-yard drive for the go-ahead score, leaving the Hawks with 37 seconds to erase a three-point deficit.

Wick was not deterred, working quickly into Gator territory as the clock ticked down. The Hawks managed one final play, and Doll extended the action by avoiding pressure before heaving a pass to the corner of the end zone. The ball was hauled in by a Hartwick receiver but landed just out of bounds, as the Hawks fell by inches to their conference opponents.

UP NEXT FOR THE HAWKS
The Hawks will head to Buffalo for a non-conference matchup against Villa Maria on Friday, April 3rd at 6PM.

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.