Hooper’s Hat Trick Leads Hartwick over Panthers
ONEONTA, NY - Blaire Hooper (Waitsfield, VT/Green Mountain Valley) netted a hat trick for host Hartwick as it defeated the SUNY Old Westbury Panthers 4-1 in the Hawks' home opener on Saturday afternoon. The game was part of the 8th annual Erinn K. Brozman Cup.
Hooper, who only saw action in two games last season, got the Hawks on the board in the 12th minute of the first half for her first collegiate score. Katie Schild (Endicott, NY/Union-Endicott) passed to Hooper who deposited the ball into the right corner of the goal.
Hooper would find pay dirt again later in the half in the 35th minute to make it a 2-0 game. The Panthers would cut into the lead just a short time later at 43:02 on a goal by Jordan Schildt to complete the scoring in the half.
In the second half, Cristina Sicari (St. James, NY/Smithtown East) gave 'Wick the two goal lead back when she scored on a short corner kick from Schild. Later in the 74th minute, Hooper would net her third goal of the game when she beat the Panther defender and shot the ball over the outstretched arm of goaltender Heather Grosso.
Hope Brown (Sherburne, NY/Sherburne-Earlville) started in net for the Hawks and made just one save. Teagan Waddingham (Coeymans Hollow, NY/Ravena-Coeymans Selkirk) came in the second half and made nine saves.
Caitlin Thomas started for the Panthers and made two saves in the first half. Grosso came in the second half and also recorded two saves.
The teams were nearly neck and neck in shots with Hartwick holding a slight 17-15 advantage.
In the nightcap, Salve Regina rolled to a 5-1 win over Utica College. Kaitlyn Birrell led the Seahawks to the win with two goals and two assists. Erin McCullough added two goals for SBU and Lauren Bulk scored one. UC received a goal from Samantha Spohler.
Jessica Lane and Kathleen Roche combined for seven saves in goal for the Seahawks. Utica's Samantha Glocking made six saves.