ONEONTA, NY – Goals in each half propelled the Hartwick men’s soccer team to a 2-0 clean sheet against visiting Cornell University on Wednesday night on Elmore Field. The Hawks, ranked 10^th in the latest NSCAA Southeast Poll, improved to 4-2-2 on the season with the victory. The win also snaps a seven-game (0-6-1) winless streak against the Big Red dating back to 2007.
            “Tonight was as complete a performance as we’ve had in my time here,” remarked Hartwick head coach John Scott. “We were able to play some really good stuff on a tough surface against a gritty opponent that would not stop running.”
            After an early chance from Marc Berry (Galashiels, Scotland/Galashiels Academy) seven minutes into the match, the Hawks were able to gain the advantage in the 24^th minute. Right back Jack Miller (Commack, NY/Commack) got the ball to Mike Rood (Conklin, NY/Susquehanna Valley) near the end line. Rood played the ball across the goal mouth where Berry ran onto it and buried his shot for his first goal of the season.
            The Hawks had a few more chances later in the half, including a Kit Tregear (Brighton, England/BHASVIC) header from a Jack Donaldson (Paisley, Scotland/Mars Hill University) free kick. Tregear’s effort beat Cornell keeper Rhys Moller, but went inches wide of the far post.
            Hartwick held an 8-2 edge in shots in the opening 45 minutes. The two Big Red shots were weak headers that were off-target.
            Cornell’s two top chances in the second half came five minutes apart from Ryan Watters. His first shot went wide right of Hartwick keeper Lenny Wilson (Aberdeen, Scotland/Cults Academy). His second went wide left. Wilson would need to make no saves in earning his third shutout.
            Jamie O’Grady (Falkirk, Scotland/Falkirk) earned an insurance goal in the 70^th minute on a favorable bounce. He collected a short pass at the top of the Big Red box from Wyatt Scott (Cicero, NY/Cicero North Syracuse) and sent a shot in at goal. Moller got his hands to and it should have done better but it slipped through his fingers and in. It marked O’Grady’s team-leading sixth tally of the season.
            The Hawks finished the night doubling up Cornell in shots, 14-7. Moller closed the night with four saves.
            Tonight marked the 53^rd meeting of Hartwick and Cornell all-time. The Hawks improve to 31-17-4 in the series.
            “It was an excellent performance and congratulations to the boys,” Scott added. “Our back four was resilient and shielded Lenny from any danger. Our midfield four ran their legs off, and our front two held the ball and linked play very well.”
            Hartwick travels to Albany next Tuesday, September 29 for a 7 p.m. match against the Great Danes.