ONEONTA, NY – Two goals from freshman Sierra Bentley (Worcester, NY/Schenevus) early and an insurance marker from Kylie Thayer (Ithaca, NY/Ithaca) in the second half gave Hartwick a 3-1 victory over visiting Utica College (4-3-1, 0-2 E8) in an Empire 8 Conference match on Elmore Field Wednesday night. The Hawks improve to 4-2-1 overall and 1-0-1 in the league.
            Bentley pumped in her goals 7:05 apart in the opening half to hand the Hawks an early advantage. On the first, a service from the right side from freshman Ashley Connolly (Johnson City, NY/Johnson City) found Bentley in front of goal. She finished to the far post, beating UC keeper Kelly Heimerle at 10:06. It was Bentley’s first career goal as a Hawk.
            Later, a free kick from the left side by Thayer went deep into the Utica box. Bentley beat all players in the air and her effort beat Heimerle again to the far bar and the Hawks’ advantage was two inside of 18 minutes.
            The Pioneers caught a break at 31:15 following a corner kick. Keri Berkowitz played the ball in from the flag and a Hawk defender had an attempt at a clearance but it skipped under her foot popping out to Alana Fitzpatrick. She made no mistake, pounding the ball up high and in to pull the Pioneers to within a goal.
            In the second half, Bentley nearly got her third on a header two minutes in but it went wide of goal. Thayer also had a shot go inches high of the post for the Hawks.
            At the 65:47 mark, Utica was whistled for a high kick in its own box resulting in an indirect kick 12 yards from goal. Cami Cleaveland (Oneonta, NY/Oneonta) touched the ball and Thayer finished it off with a blast up high for her third tally of the season.
            The Hawks continued to pressure the Pioneers for the final 24 minutes. Bentley had another chance at her third but Heimerle denied her with a big save.
            Utica would fire three shots on goal the rest of the way but none of them troubled ’Wick keeper Annie Millar (Ilion, NY/Ilion), who finished the match with five saves. Heimerle had four stops.
            Hartwick outshot Utica 15-9 in the game, including a 9-4 margin in the second half.
            With the win, the Hawks improve to 10-5-2 against the Pioneers all-time.
            Hartwick remains home this Saturday for another conference match. The Hawks entertain Alfred University at 2 p.m. on Elmore.

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