BUFFALO, N.Y. – The Medaille University field hockey team just won their second conference game in a row today against the Russell Sage Gators. The Mavericks won 1-0.

Cassie Deppner (Burlington, ON, Nelson) got things started early taking the ball up the field immediately. A quick foul on the Mavs brought the ball back down the field and the Gators got their first corner just four minutes in. They took two shots, but Kristyn Clare (Rochester, NY, East Irondequoit) was a wall, and saved both of them. Four minutes later, they got three corners in a row with four total shots off, but Clare was holding strong. At 11:33, Deppner took her first shot of the game, but it went wide. Three minutes later, and the Mavs got their first corner of the game. Deppner, Cassandra Diodate (East Amherst, NY, Williamsville North) and Kristyn Clare (Rochester, NY, East Irondequoit) all got shots off in the frenzy, but none went in. That would finish the quarter, and both teams were tied, 0-0.

The Mavs were the first ones to get some offense going in the second quarter. Kylie Tolsma (Buffalo, NY, Sweet Home) took the shot, but it was blocked by a Sage defender. Fouls on both teams brought the ball back down the field, and they Gators got two shots off, both saved by Clare. At 24:06, the Mavs had a corner opportunity that ended in a blocked shot from Deppner. They got another one, and Morgan Kramer (Sanborn, NY, Starpoint) was the shot taker, but the goalie stopped it. The Gators took the ball out and got a shot off three minutes later. It ended in a corner with two more shots taken, but still no score. Both teams were still tied heading into halftime, 0-0.

Three minutes into the half, the Gators took a shot, but Clare was there again for the save. Things got a little tense in the middle of the field that ended in green cards being handed out to each team. The Gators had a corner with a shot blocked. The ball got taken out with Deppner on a fast-break. She got two shots off, but a high shot gave the ball back to the Gators. At 39:58, the Gators got two corner opportunities with one shot taken. After a foul on Sage, Deppner took the ball up again, and this time she finished with the Mavs' only goal of the game at 41:03. That didn't stop their offense though. Tolsma took her second shot of the game seconds later. The ball made its way back into Mavs territory towards the end of the quarter. The Gators had two more corners, but were unable to score. It was 1-0 in favor of the Mavs going into the final 15 minutes.

It was a battle to the end in the final quarter. Both teams were getting fast-breaks almost constantly. Tolsma took a shot one minute in, but it hit the post. Then another fast-break brought the Gators another corner. They took three shots, but Clare was a force to be reckoned with. At 55:12, the Mavs committed a foul inside the arc, and the Gators were awarded a penalty stroke. It was just Clare against the shooter. The shot was taken, and Clare stuffed her, for her second stroke save of the season. It was a big moment for the whole team. The Mavs kept up their offense with a corner and a shot. The Gators could not find a way to get a goal to tie, and the Mavs take the win, 1-0.

Game leaders for the Mavericks were Deppner with one goal on four shots on goal, Tolsma with three shots and one on goal, and Clare who was credited with the win with 15 saves.

The Mavs look to keep their streak alive against SUNY Geneseo on Wednesday, September 28. They will travel there for a 4:00 p.m. start.