November 9, 2019

Geneseo wins 2019 field hockey championship

Cortland

16-4

Geneseo

19-2

Final	1	2	3	4	OT	OT2	T
Cortland (16-4)	0	1	1	1	0	0	3
Geneseo (19-2)	0	0	1	2	0	1	4

GENESEO, N.Y. - The Knights (19-2) topped Cortland, 4-3, in double overtime to capture their third overall State University of New York Athletic Conference (SUNYAC) field hockey championship and first since 2016, Saturday. Geneseo earned an automatic bid to the NCAA Division III Tournament with the win.

Geneseo senior forward Erin Nolan scored two goals, including the double-overtime game-winning tally and was named the Tournament MVP. Nolan re-directed a shot by junior forward Jordan Penkitis in front of the Cortland goal for the deciding tally.

Following a scoreless first quarter, Cortland got on the board 1:36 into the second quarter after sophomore midfielder Alanie Genter scored on a short rebound during a penalty corner.

The Red Dragons took a 2-0 lead 7:13 into the second half after senior forward Hannah Burchell scored on a five-yard shot.

Geneseo got on the board three minutes later after senior back Julia Kim scored on a hard nine-yard shot through a crowded crease.

Junior forward Haley Clark knotted the game nine minutes later after tipping a short rebound into the Cortland cage during a penalty corner.

Nolan pushed Geneseo into the lead with under eight minutes remaining in regulation after tipping a short pass from first-year forward Maggie Phipps into the back of the goal.

However, Cortland was awarded a penalty stroke less than three minute later after Geneseo was called for covering the ball. Burchell buried the stroke to knot the game, 3-3.

The Knights were hit with a 5:00 yellow card with 20 seconds left in the first overtime but Nolan was eventually able to win the game despite Geneseo being down a player.

2019 SUNYAC FIELD HOCKEY ALL-TOURNAMENT TEAM
Haley Clark, Geneseo
Julia Kim, Geneseo
Jordan Penkitis, Geneseo
Erin Nolan, Geneseo (MVP)
Sara Reardon, Cortland
Hannah Burchell, Cortland
Marisa D'Amico, Cortland
Natasia Plunkett, New Paltz
Jessica Ascencao, New Paltz
Grace Bilow, Oneonta
Sophia Little, Oneonta

Elite 20

The SUNYAC Elite 20, an award modeled after the NCAA ELITE 90 program, recognizes the true essence of the student-athlete by honoring the individual who has reached the pinnacle of competition at the conference championship level in his or her sport, while also achieving the highest academic standard among his or her peers. The 2019 SUNYAC field hockey awardee is Geneseo sophomore Grace Maley (Amherst, N.Y.).