Hartwick Tops Alfred, Off to Best Start Since 2002
ONEONTA, NY - The Hartwick College Hawks stayed unbeaten in the conference today with a decisive 2-0 win over Alfred University (2-3-3, 0-3-2 E8) this afternoon at Elmore Field. The Hawks, who are 5-2-1 overall and 2-0-1 in the E8 are off to their best start since the 2002 Hartwick team began the season with an identical 5-2-1 mark.
The Hawks controlled the game from start to finish, out-shooting the Saxons by a wide 21-8 margin. 'Wick, however, could not break into the scoring column until the final minute of the first half. With under 10 seconds before the intermission, sophomore Carly Pine (Hoosick Falls, NY/Hoosick Falls) launched a throw-in from the left side of the Alfred goal into the box. Senior Briana Crow (Scotia, NY/Scotia-Glenville) collected the ball at her feet and slid a short pass to teammate Emily Thorndike (Dover, MA/Sherborn) who blasted a shot to the far post past Alfred goalie Shanna Ewoldt with only four seconds to play.
In the second half, freshman Jessica Bentley (Worchester, NY/ Schenevus) secured the victory by heading in the second goal of the game off a cross from senior Kate Bosy (Scotia, NY/St. Francis U.) 17 minutes into the second half. Julie Kessler (Canton, CT/Canton) started the play as she knocked a ball on the right sideline to Bosy who brought the ball towards the end line. Bosy then served the ball into the box which found Bentley's head in a well executed play.
Junior Alyssa Rondo (Saco, ME/Thornton Academy) recorded five saves for the first 76 minutes, while senior Kelly Griffin (Wynantskill, NY/Columbia) completed the game with one save. It marked the fourth shutout of the season for the Hawks. Alfred's Shanna Ewoldt stopped six of Hartwick's shots.