ONEONTA, NY -- The Alfred University women's soccer team (7-9-3, 3-3-2 Empire 8) fell 3-0 in the Empire 8 semifinal match on Friday evening on Elmore Field in Oneonta, NY.
 
The Hartwick Hawks changed the fate of the game heading into the intermission with a goal in the 44^th minute. After nearly a half of back-and-forth jostling between the two teams, Hartwick broke through the AU defense with a through ball sent in by Maddy Paul. Ashley Connolly collected the ball in stride and wrapped the ball around senior Sammy Jo Shanahan (Valley Stream, NY/Valley Stream South) despite a strong effort to deny the opportunity.
 
Prior to the goal, the Saxon defense played a steadfast backline, catching the Hawks offside six times before they were able to take advantage on the through ball.
 
Sophomore Allyson Cohen (Merrick, NY/John F. Kennedy) put the only shot on goal for AU in the first half. Shanahan stopped four Hartwick chances in the first period.
 
The Saxons remained within striking distance for the first 27 minutes of the second half, but Dana Caputo sent another through ball into the box for the Hawks and found Sierra Bentley who finished the play after going one-on-one with the keeper. Hartwick scored again four minutes later, essentially sealing the match.
 
First-year Amanda Guariglia (Valley Stream/Valley Stream South) managed to get a shot on goal in the 82^nd minute, but Cassandra Robataille pushed the ball away to safety, maintaining the shutout.
 
AU had its final chance to score in the 85^th minute on corner kick, but the opportunity was negated when the Harwick defense headed the ball away from the box. As the final horn sounded, the Hawks maintained a 3-0 lead.
 
Shanahan completed the game with nine saves, while Robataille stopped two shots on goal and earned a shutout.
 
Hartwick moved on to the Empire 8 final and will take on the winner of Stevens vs. Nazareth tomorrow at 6PM on Elmore Field.  The winner of the Empire 8 Championship earns an automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament.

"Moving forward, I think making the Empire 8 tournament was huge for our team," Head Coach Craig Yanni said. "The team believes in the process here at Alfred University and the culture we have built. Our goal will be to make it back here every year and I think this is a wake up call to them that it can be done."
 
The Saxons completed the season with a 7-9-3 and 3-3-2 in Empire 8 play. The berth into the Empire 8 Championships was the first appearance in program history.