ONEONTA, N.Y. –The Hartwick Women's Lacrosse team kept its momentum, rolling to an 18-6 triumph over the Russell Sage Gators for its third consecutive victory on Wednesday afternoon.
THE BASICS
Final Score: Russell Sage 6 Hartwick 18
Location: Oneonta, N.Y. | Wright Stadium
Records: Russell Sage (0-6, 0-4 Empire 8) • Hartwick (4-7, 2-2 Empire 8)
HOW IT HAPPENED
After a historic victory over Nazareth in their last outing at Wright Stadium, the Hawks looked to carry that momentum into a conference matchup with Russell Sage.
Hartwick struck first behind Co-Offensive Player of the Week Adelyn Esce (Cicero, NY), who finished her opening shot off a feed from Parker Laurin (Saratoga Springs, N.Y.). Esce then found a cutting Ashley Ament (Sayreville, N.J.), who converted for her first goal of the day. Russell Sage cut the lead in half, but senior captain Jammie Decker (Penn Yan, N.Y.) answered with a strong drive to the cage, scoring off a pass from Maura Donoghue (Paramus, N.J.). Esce closed the first quarter with her second tally, with Lily Dempsey (Glenville, N.Y.) earning the assist.
A late first-quarter green card carried over, and Ament capitalized just 16 seconds into the second, ripping in her second goal off an Esce assist. Donoghue added her first tally before Esce scored back-to-back goals to push the lead to 8-1. The Gators halted the run at 3:12, but Donoghue responded with a woman-up goal, assisted by Esce. Dempsey capped the dominant half with her first goal, sending Hartwick into the break with an eight-goal advantage.
Hartwick maintained control in the second half as Donoghue completed her first collegiate hat trick just two minutes into the third quarter. Laurin added to the lead at 11:24, and Ament secured her first hat trick of the season, finishing a perfect 3-for-3 on the day. Russell Sage scored twice late in the quarter, but Dempsey answered with another goal, assisted by Decker, as the Hawks entered the fourth with a double-digit lead.
Lauryn Bigwarfe (Potsdam, N.Y.) opened the final frame with her first goal of the night, finishing a feed from Ament just 57 seconds in. After a Gators score, Jackie Owens (Poughquag, NY) responded with her first of the game. Russell Sage netted its final goal in a woman-up situation, but Bigwarfe answered with her second, assisted by Dempsey. Shea Holloway (Fort Johnson, NY) closed out the scoring as the Hawks secured their second conference victory.
Esce continued her red-hot stretch with seven points on four goals and three assists after totaling 13 points last week. Donoghue and Ament each recorded hat tricks, while Dempsey and Bigwarfe added two goals apiece. Laurin, Holloway, Owens, and Decker each found the back of the net to round out the scoring. Esce led all players with three assists, while Dempsey recorded two. Decker, Ament, Donoghue, and Laurin each added helpers.
Empire 8 Defensive Player of the Week Brooke Lynett (Acton, Mass.) earned the win in goal with two saves. Alexa Patrakis (Wilbraham, Mass.) added one save, and first-year keeper Kamryn Hebert (Upper Marlboro, MD) also recorded a stop to complete the effort.
UP NEXT FOR THE HAWKS
The Hawks will get back on the road to prepare for a 1pm draw against Alfred University on Saturday, April 11.
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.
