KINGSTON, PA - Hartwick used a late goal in regulation to force overtime and picked up a victory in the extra period to down top-seed Wilkes, 2-1, in the quarterfinal round of the ECAC Mid-Atlantic Tournament on Wednesday in Kingston, PA. The victory sends the eighth-seeded Hawks into Saturday's semifinal round in Montclair, NJ.
Freshman Kelsey Kimble (Dingmans Ferry, PA/Delaware Valley), who earlier in the day was named the Empire 8 Rookie of the Year, scored 8:55 into the first overtime off a centering pass from junior Jen Kaye (Altamont, NY/Guilderland) for the game-winner. Kimble also assisted on 'Wick's tying goal late in the game. The Hawks trailed the Colonels 1-0 with the clock ticking down in the match.
'Wick put pressure on the Wilkes' goal with five shots and four penalty corners as the Hawks desperately looked to even the match. Kaye had a pair of shots in the span, one forcing a defensive save by a Colonel defender, and senior Jenny Murphy (Vineyard Haven, MA/Martha's Vineyard) also ripped two shots with Wilkes keeper Lindsey Davenport making one save.
Finally with 1:42 left, Kimble's corner went to Murphy whose blast eluded Davenport to sent the game to overtime.
Wilkes finished the game with advantages in shots (19-14) and corners (12-5). The Colonels outshot the Hawks 9-2 in the opening half and got the go-ahead goal 12:45 into the first period. Jenna DiSabatino netted her 18th of the season with Amanda Tilley earning the assist. 'Wick held an 11-7 edge in shots in the second half.
In overtime, shots by Tilley, DiSabatino, and Brittany Sines all were turned away by Hartwick goalie Mackenzie Chapman (Niskayuna, NY/Niskayuna) in the first seven and a half minutes before Kaye and Kimble connected to advance the Hawks into the next round. Chapman stopped nine to crack to 100-save mark for the season. Davenport made six saves in a losing effort for the Colonels.
Hartwick will play Alvernia (12-8) in the semifinals on Saturday. The fourth-seeded Crusaders earned a 4-0 shutoiut win over Wesley in the opening round. Montclair State, the number two seed in the tournament, earned the right to host the semis and finals with an 8-0 blowout of Gwynedd-Mercy. #6 Catholic also advanced with a 3-1 upset over the #3 seed and defending champ Kean.
