ONEONTA, N.Y. - The Oneonta women's soccer team kicked off the 2026 season with a 2-2 tie at Hartwick in the annual "Battle of the Hills" on Tuesday evening. The draw marks the fifth consecutive season the Red Dragons (0-0-1) and the Hawks (0-0-1) have tied.
Hartwick scored early in the first half with Ella Grupe finding the back of the net at 5:17 to take a 1-0 lead. Oneonta responded with shots from senior Brenna Mast (Croghan, NY/Beaver River) and juniors Sara Kealey (Seaford, NY/General Douglas MacArthur) and Devyn Kelly (Wappingers Falls, NY/Beacon), but were unable to connect. Senior Gianna Hanner (Ridge, NY/Longwood) fired an on-goal attempt at 28:29 that Hawks' goalkeeper Kelsey Bollen saved. Hanner mustered one final shot in the half, but Bollen kept the Red Dragons scoreless in the half.
Oneonta scored in the 53rd minute with senior Katie Doherty (Miller Place, NY/Miller Place) scoring the first of the season. The momentum was short-lived, though, and Hartwick retook the lead at 55:55 when Elizabeth Burke scored to make it 2-1.
The Red Dragons drew an equalizer attempt in the 75th minute after a Hawks' yellow card in the box. Junior Bella Mattoni (Valhalla, NY/Valhalla) lined up the penalty attempt and went down the middle to secure the eventual draw.
Oneonta finished the game outshooting Hartwick 10-4 with a 6-2 corner kick advantage.
In goal, junior Emily Hardison (Coram, NY/Longwood) had one save, while Bollen made three.
Oneonta next hosts Clarkson on the first day of the Mayor's Cup on Saturday, September 5 at noon.
