HAMBURG, N.Y. – Hilbert College Women's Soccer hosted former AMCC foe, Alfred State Tuesday evening in the Hawks' final non-conference matchup of the year. Behind two goals from
Ja'Lynn Sanders, and 12 stops from
Keira McFarland, including a penalty-kick save, Hilbert earned a hard-fought 2-1 victory.
Hilbert struck first in the 14th minute when Sanders finished a chance off an assist from
Haley Karaszewski. Sanders collected the ball around midfield and beat a pair of Pioneer defenders before finding the back of the net to give the Hawks a 1-0 lead at the 13:11 mark.
Alfred State answered less than five minutes later, leveling the match in the 18th minute. The Pioneers continued to apply pressure throughout the opening half, but McFarland made six first-half saves to keep the game tied.
The Hawks regained the lead in the 32nd minute when Sanders scored her second goal of the match, capitalizing on an Alfred State turnover inside the box.
Alfred State looked to equalize before the break, but McFarland came up big for the Hawks, stopping a penalty kick to preserve the lead into halftime.
Neither team found the net during the final 45 minutes. Alfred State generated 15 second-half shots, but McFarland matched her first-half total with six more saves after the break. Hilbert's best opportunities came off the foot of Sanders, who forced saves in the 58th and 75th minutes as the Hawks protected their lead.
Sanders led the offense with six shots, five shots on goal, and both Hilbert goals. Karaszewski recorded her first career assist, while
Valentina Hauser added two shots.
UP NEXT:
The Hawks remain in Hamburg as the team hosts Mount Aloysius on Saturday at 3:15 PM on Hawk Field.
