Field Hockey | 11/2/2019 6:39:00 PM
WASHINGTON, PA – The Hartwick field hockey team got a modicum of revenge for some past losses on Saturday afternoon, as they defeated Washington & Jefferson on the road, 2-0. The win clinched a playoff spot for the Hawks, who finish the regular season at 11-6 overall and 5-2 in the Empire 8, good for third place. The two-time defending conference champion Presidents end their season at 8-8 overall and 3-4 in the E8, missing the playoffs for the first time since 2013.
The first period was about as low-event as you can conceivably get; the only two shots came from Washington & Jefferson, high by Sofita Bobrovnikova in the 13th minute and on target but saved by Allyson Osborne (Nottingham, PA/Solanco) off the stick of Madeline Hubbard in the 15th.
The Hawks completely turned that around in the second quarter, outshooting the hosts 6-0 in the 15 minutes. Brooke Singer (Johnson City, NY/Maine-Endwell) had a shot at 19:11 off a Rebecca Peakes (Mechanicville, NY/Shenendehowa) corner that was saved, but 'Wick earned another corner at 19:18. They took full advantage this time. Peakes again put the ball back into play to Singer, who sent it to Sydney Gagnon (Chestertown, NY/North Warren Central). Gagnon fired it home from straight-on for her team-leading 13th goal of the season at 19:26, giving the Hawks a 1-0 lead. She is also second in the Empire 8 in goals in conference games, with six. Hartwick had four more shots throughout the rest of the period, including two in four seconds from Bella Wheeler (Cazenovia, NY/Cazenovia), but could not get another one by keeper Rena Israel before the horn blew.
The third quarter mirrored the first, with not much going on. Hartwick had a corner in the 35th minute, Washington & Jefferson had one of their own in the 38th, leading to a shot from Reghan Dunn and save by Osborne, and that was it for the period.
After an early 'Wick corner in the fourth quarter, the Presidents made a push, putting up three shots in 2:05 in the middle portion of the period. Hubbard took the first and Bobrovnikova the second and third, but Osborne stopped them all, as Hartwick clinged to their 1-0 lead. Gagnon had a couple shots in the 57th minute, but it was Wheeler who put the game away with just 37 seconds to go. Her shot was headed towards the net and was knocked in by the defense, giving the Hawks an insurmountable 2-0 lead at 59:23. The win was the first for Hartwick against the Presidents since 2012, and the first on the road since 2009.
Gagnon, Wheeler, and Singer were the only Hawks with shots on the afternoon, but that was all they needed. Gagnon had four, including her tally, Wheeler had three, one of which was the insurance goal, and Singer had a pair of shots, and an assist on the game-winner. Osborne made five saves for a well-earned shutout, her fifth of the season.
Bobrovnikova led the Presidents with three shots (two on goal), and was followed by Hubbard who had two scoring tries. Israel made six saves on eight chances, playing the whole day in net.
The Hawks had the upper hand throughout the afternoon, outshooting Washington & Jefferson, 9-6 (8-5 on goal) and registering a 6-5 advantage on penalty corners.
After a six-year drought, Hartwick has now earned three Empire 8 playoff berths in four seasons. As the #3 seed, they will take on #2 Utica on Friday, November 8, at 2:30 p.m in the Semifinals. The game will be played at St. John Fisher College, as the Cardinals won the regular season title and will host the conference tournament. Fisher will play #4 Nazareth at 5 p.m., and the winners of the two games will meet on Saturday in the Championship.
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