Hartwick and Houghton To Meet for 2022 Empire 8 Field Hockey Championship After Semifinal Wins

Field Hockey | 11/4/2022 10:13:12 PM

Top-seed Hartwick College (11-6) and No. 3 seed Houghton University (14-5) will meet for the 2022 Empire 8 Field Hockey Championship after earning semifinal victories on Friday evening. The Hawks defeated No. 4 seed Utica University, 5-1, while Houghton went on the road and shutout No. 2 seed St. John Fisher, 3-0 for its first trip to the E8 title game.

Hartwick will host Houghton in the championship match on Sunday, Nov. 6  at 12 p.m. from Wright Stadium. Hartwick defeated Houghton by a score of 5-1 on Oct. 22. Sydney Gagnon scored four goals in the win for Hartwick.

Hartwick is attempting to win its second league title in four seasons and fifth overall, while Houghton is looking to win its first Empire 8 crown. The Empire 8 Champion will receive an automatic berth into the 2022 NCAA Division III Championship Tournament, which starts on Nov. 9.

NO. 1 HARTWICK 5, NO. 4 UTICA 1
Top-seeded Hartwick (11-6) dominated offensively throughout the contest, getting off 18 shots and earning 22 penalty corner opportunities in Friday's semifinal win over Utica (8-11).

The Hawks were unable to convert those opportunities in the openingquarter as the first 15 minutes of play ended in a scoreless tie. Leah Tolley (Pittsford, N.Y.) broke the deadlock with a drive from the top of the circle off of a pass from Makenzie Kensel (San Diego, Calif.) in the 22nd minute of action.

Holly Calore (Rocky Point, N.Y.) extended the Hartwick lead in the 28th minute ,banging home a shot inside the left corner of the cage.  Ashley Tricarico (Hopewell Junction, N.Y.) picked up the assist after crossing the ball from the endline to Calore.

Up 2-0 going into the third quarter, the Hawks picked up a big third goal as senior, Sydney Gagnon (Chestertown, N.Y.) converted on a stroke early in the 36th minute.

Libby Fortin (State College, Pa.) slipped a shot through the defense towards the waiting stick of Tolley for the redirect and the goal. Just under five minutes later, Utica got on the board with a tally of their own. Hartwick capped off the contest with a goal halfway through the final minute of play.  Julie Ruzzi (High Falls, N.Y.) notched her third goal of the season with an assist from Gagnon.

Madison Maddocks (Garrison, N.Y.) picked up the win in the cage, recording two saves.

NO. 3 HOUGHTON 3, NO. 2 ST. JOHN FISHER 0
Houghton (14-5) stunned two-time defending Empire 8 field hockey champion St. John Fisher (8-11) at Growney Stadium by a score of 3-0.
 
In a scene that has replayed itself numerous times this season, Empire 8 leading goal-scorer, Bekah Davie, slammed home the game-winning goal in the 15th minute on an assist from Empire 8 assist leader, Jace Hunzinger. 
 
While the first goal would prove all that Houghton would need, as Madison Tadusz and the Highlander defense posted their sixth shutout of the season, the offense continued to put away goals.
 
Just five minutes before the half, Elzandie Du Plessis slotted an outstanding pass to Deborah Cross, who finished her ninth goal of the season to put the Highlanders up, 2-0, at the break.
 
While Fisher threatened numerous times, the Houghton defense held steady, and with just over 18 minutes to play Du Plessis ripped a shot past the Fisher keeper, tacking on some insurance for the purple and gold.

Davie's goal was her 18th of the season, and Hunzinger's assist was her 18th.  The Hunzinger-to-Davie pairing has connected eight times this season.

As a team, the Highlanders continue to build on their record-setting season.  They have now scored 69 goals this year, 11 more than in any previous season. 
Wednesday, November 2 – First Round - at Higher Seed
No. 4. Utica defeated No. 5 Washington & Jefferson, 3-0 – BOX SCORE
No. 3 Houghton defeated No. 6 Keuka, 4-1 – BOX SCORE
 
Friday, November 4 - Semifinals - at Higher Seed
No. 1. Hartwick defeated No. 4 Utica, 5-1 – BOX SCORE
No. 3 Houghton defeated No. 2 St. John Fisher, 3-0 – BOX SCORE

Sunday, November 6 - Championship Final
No. 3 Houghton at No. 1 Hartwick – 12 p.m. – VIDEO/LIVE STATS

ABOUT THE EMPIRE 8 CONFERENCE
The members of the Empire 8 Conference are committed first and foremost to the pursuit of academic excellence and the league is regarded as an outstanding NCAA Division III conference. The membership has distinguished itself among its peer group for its quality institutions, spirited and sportsmanlike competition, outstanding services and highly ethical policies and practices. Its commitment to serve the educational needs of its student-athletes is the hallmark of the E8. For more on the Empire 8 visit www.empire8.com and YouTube
 
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