Playoff-Bound Gators Drop Regular Season Finale

Aidan Van Oostveen (Avery Tam - @through_aves.lens)

October 30, 2024

Playoff-Bound Gators Drop Regular Season Finale

ONEONTA, N.Y. – Russell Sage College concluded its regular season with a 3-1 Empire 8 Conference setback at Hartwick.

Russell Sage College

7-7-3/4-4-3 E8

Hartwick

8-7-1/6-5-0 E8

Final

Russell Sage College (7-7-3/4-4-3 E8)

Hartwick (8-7-1/6-5-0 E8)

ONEONTA, N.Y. – Russell Sage College concluded its regular season with a 3-1 Empire 8 Conference setback at Hartwick.

The host Hawks (8-7-1/6-5-0 E8) scored twice in the first 14:17 to gain an early advantage.

Sophomore forward Peter Martillotta (Gasport, NY/Royalton Hartland) converted a penalty kick in the 71st minute for the lone RSC goal, while junior goalkeeper Aiden Van Oostveen (Westfield, MA/Westfield) made a career-high eight saves.

Junior midfielder Jake Daly registered a goal and an assist to pace Hartwick.

The Gators (7-7-3/4-4-3 E8) now set their sights on Saturday's Empire 8 Conference Championship Tournament Quarterfinal. RSC will be seeded eighth and play at top-seeded Saint John Fisher at time to be announced.

Gator Bites: Head coach Amir Pasic is in his third season at the helm of the Gators…21 newcomers combined with 16 returnees to comprise this fall's roster…Forward El Hadji Iba Sy (Bronx, NY/Emma Lazarus), a grad student, sophomore forward Dimitri Gogas (Merrick, NY/W.C. Mepham), and senior midfielder/forward Joe Piperata (Rensselaer, NY/Catholic Central) highlighted the returning Gators…Junior Alejandro Aleo (Alicante, Spain/Ira Macia Abela/Saint Rose), freshman defender Logan Diebold (Williamsville, NY/Williamsville South), and senior forward Darien Espinal (Clifton Park, NY/Shenendehowa/Saint Rose) headlined the crop of new faces…Senior defenders Taiwo Afolabi (Arlington, TX/Mansfield Summit/Medaille), and Mason Kievit (LaGrange, NY/Our Lady of Lourdes), and Aleo, serve as the team captains…Freshman goalkeeper Maximilian Bertmann (South Burlington, VT/South Burlington) was selected the Empire 8 Conference Defensive Player of the Week three times this fall (for the periods ending: Sunday, Sept. 15, Sept. 22, and Oct. 6)…The rookie began the week ranked fourth in the Conference with 51 saves…Iba Sy was tabbed the E8 Player of the Week for the period ending Sunday, October 20…He opened the week tied for first in the E8 with nine goals and sat third in the Conference with 20 points...Gogas started the week tied for second on the circuit with six assists...The duo of Iba Sy and Gogas each have three game-winning goals, tied for second-most in the E8.