ONEONTA, N.Y. -- The Oneonta field hockey team shutout Utica University, 3-0, in their season opener, Friday afternoon at All College Field. After a scoreless first quarter, the Red Dragons found the back of the cage in each of the final three quarters while they kept the Pioneers scoreless. Senior
Alexandra Howell (Holtsville, N.Y./Sachem East) led the team with two goals, while senior
Sarah Stadelmann (East Syracuse, N.Y./East Syracuse Minoa) tallied the other score for Oneonta as the team started the season off 1-0.
"Today was a great start to build on," said Head Coach
Kelly Kingsbury. "We got better as the game went on and started really connecting some pieces together. Always nice to start the season with a W."
Howell's first goal, and the game-winner, happened at 25:02 in the second period. Senior
Abigail Draper (Remsen, NY/Holland Patent) received the ball just inside the 25-yard line and sent it into the shooting circle to freshman
Gaby Ackley (Windsor, NY/Windsor Central). Ackley passed the ball next to her to junior
Nina Contrera (Rochester, NY/Hilton Central), who passed it in front towards the left side of the cage. Howell sprinted for the ball, made one touch and spun past Utica's keeper, then fired it into the far post for the team's first goal of the season. The goal was Howell's 30th of her career.Â
The Red Dragons kept the pressure on the Pioneers in the third quarter and finally made it a multi-goal game off a penalty corner at 44:07. Sophomore
Isabella Cunha (Carle Place, NY/Carle Place) received the ball at the top of the shooting circle and sent the ball towards Ackley. The freshman Red Dragon took a shot that got past the keeper but was blocked by a group of players from both teams. A scrum for the ball on the goal line ensued where the ball popped out towards an open area of the cage, and Stadelmann was able to tip it for the score.
The final goal for Oneonta, and Howell's second, happened in the fourth period at 49:48. Junior
Nora Trimarchi (South Glens Falls, N.Y./South Glens Falls) cleared the ball out of Oneonta's side of the field, then junior
Miranda Colacchio (Lagrange, N.Y./Arlington) stole the ball from a Pioneer defender to regain possession. Colacchio brought the ball to the top of the circle and passed it towards the left side of the cage to Howell. Howell hesitated for a split second then ripped the ball into the near post side.
Freshman
Eva Klessel (Bronxville, NY/Bronxville) started the first 55:05 in the cage for Oneonta and recorded two saves, and freshman
Lilia Lepre (Patchogue, NY/Patchouge Medford) played the final 4:55 for the combined shutout. Freshman
Maggie Kennedy (Fishkill, NY/John Jay) recorded her first collegiate defensive save with a stop at 10:12 in the first period.
Utica's Sophia Weiss finished the game with three saves.
Oneonta led Utica with shots on goal, 6-3, while the Pioneers had a 6-5 advantage in penalty corners.
The Red Dragons are back at All College Field on Saturday, September 5, for a match against St. John Fisher at 1 pm.
