ONEONTA, N.Y. – The Oneonta field hockey team opened conference play with a commanding 4-0 victory over Morrisville, Friday afternoon at All College Field. After a scoreless opening period, the Red Dragons scored twice in the second and added one goal in each of the final two periods. Freshman
Gaby Ackley (Windsor, NY/Windsor Central) led the team with two goals as Oneonta improved to 5-4 overall and 1-0 in conference play, while the Mustangs moved to 4-4 overall and 0-1 in conference action.
Oneonta broke the scoreless tie just over a minute into the second period. At 16:18, senior
Alexandra Howell (Holtsville, N.Y./Sachem East) found the back of the cage off an assist from senior
Nora Trimarchi (South Glens Falls, N.Y./South Glens Falls) to put the Red Dragons ahead, 1-0.
The Red Dragons continued to pressure the Morrisville defense late in the second period. Howell put three consecutive shots on goal before having another attempt stopped by a defensive save. At 28:35, Ackley capitalized on the pressure and scored off an assist from Howell to give Oneonta a 2-0 advantage heading into halftime. The assist was Howell's 33rd of her career, which places her second in career assists in program history. She needs two more to break Ruth Rapp's '87 all-time career assist record of 34.
Morrisville generated several chances early in the third period, but the Oneonta defense kept the Mustangs off the board. Trimarchi recorded a defensive save at 35:09, while freshman goalkeeper
Eva Klessel (Bronxville, NY/Bronxville) made a pair of saves during the period. Oneonta regained the offensive momentum late in the quarter, and junior
Miranda Colacchio (Lagrange, N.Y./Arlington) scored at 42:56 to extend the Red Dragons' lead to 3-0.
Ackley capped the scoring in the fourth period. After Oneonta earned its third penalty corner of the quarter, Ackley found the cage at 51:08 for her second goal of the afternoon and the 4-0 final.
Howell led Oneonta's offensive attack with 12 shots, including 11 on goal, while finishing with a goal and an assist. Ackley totaled her two goals on six shots, all of which were on goal, and Colacchio added a goal. Trimarchi recorded an assist and a defensive save for the Red Dragons.
Klessel played all 60 minutes in the cage and recorded six saves to earn the shutout. Oneonta controlled much of the offensive action, outshooting Morrisville 26-14 and holding a 23-7 advantage in shots on goal. The Red Dragons also finished with a 12-8 advantage in penalty corners.
Throughout the day, Oneonta celebrated and recognized the careers of their seniors for Senior Day. Those honored were
Abigail Draper (Remsen, NY/Holland Patent),
Lib Hameed (Mastic, N.Y./William Floyd),
Alexandra Howell (Holtsville, N.Y./Sachem East),
Jessica Owens (Poughquag, N.Y./Arlington), and
Sarah Stadelmann (East Syracuse, N.Y./East Syracuse Minoa).
The Red Dragons travel to Skidmore to face the Thoroughbreds for a non-conference matchup on Wednesday, October 7th at 4 pm.
