ONEONTA, NY – The top-seeded Hartwick Hawks capped an undefeated Empire 8 conference schedule on Saturday afternoon, defeating the #3 seed Houghton Highlanders, 4-0, in the conference championship game. 
 
The high-powered Hartwick offense in the fifth minute of play on a goal from Lex Matarazzo.  The Hawks would add another in the second quarter to take a 2-0 lead into the half.
 
Hartwick would add two more goals in the third quarter to complete their scoring effort.  Meanwhile, the Hawks defense stymied a Houghton team that had scored 69 goals to date, shutting out the Highlanders for only the third time this season.
 
With the victory the Hawks have captured their first Empire 8 field hockey championship since 2019, and an automatic berth in the NCAA tournament.
 
GAME VITALS
Score: #3 Houghton – 0 | #1 Hartwick – 4
Records: #3 Houghton: | #1 Hartwick:
Venue: Wright Stadium, Hartwick College | Attendance: 513

SCORING SUMMARY

Time	Team	Description
4:09		Lex Matarazzo (13) Assisted By: Holly Calore Pass Off Rebound, Shot From Left Post
22:16		Sydney Gagnon (18) Assisted By: Holly Calore Cross From Right To Left For Tap Into Le
33:13		Leah Tolley (12) Drive From Inside Right Circle, Tip Off
37:14		Faith Weaver (4) Assisted By: Sydney Gagnon Cross To Left Post For Tap In

NOTABLE STATS
>> Houghton caps their season with their first trip to the conference championship game and the most wins in program history since 2003.
 
>> The Highlanders scored more goals (69) than any team in Houghton field hockey history and posted the most shutouts (6) in the NCAA-era.
 
>> Sophomore Bekah Davie led the Highlanders in scoring this season, recording 18 goals, tied for the most in the Empire 8, and ranking fourth in Houghton history.  She now has 30 goals in her two-year career, tied for seventh-most in Houghton history. 
 
>> Sophomore Jace Hunzinger posted 18 assists on the season, most in the Empire 8, becoming Houghton's single-season leader, and tying the all-time career assist record.  Through November 3^rd (the most recent statistical update), Hunzinger led the NCAA in assists per game (1.00)
 
>> The Highlanders will graduate two players: Katherine Manley and Peyton Bentley.  Manley helped anchor one of the best Houghton defenses in recent history, started all 20 games, and added a goal and an assist this year.  For her career, Manley started 49 games, scoring four goals and adding five assists.

    Bentley finished the season with the second-most goals (10) and third-highest point total (27) on the team.  She also notched five game-winning goals this season.  For her career, she started 53 games, scored 27 goals and added 13 assists.