Staten Island, NY – For the third straight game, it took more than just two periods for the Hawks to be victorious, this time junior Oscar Dotti (Mamaroneck, NY/Mamaroneck) headed a shot at point blank range past the keeper to send Hunter to its first championship game since the 2003 season with a 2-1 win over the fifth-seeded Brooklyn College Saturday afternoon at the College of Staten Island.

Brooklyn came out of the gates looking strong and itching for the upset after taking control of the game with a goal by senior forward Elis Llagami (Brooklyn, NY/FDR) just two minutes into the contest. Brooklyn then shifted their strategy, focusing on defensive play and keeping the Hawks scoreless throughout the first half.

Hunter came out strong in the second half, looking like the top-seeded team they are, controlling the ball and not allowing the Bridges any chances at the net. After several close plays, including a free kick by sophomore Danny Vera (Orange County, CA/Mater Dei) that clanked off the crossbar, freshman forward Mauro Ortiz (Brooklyn, NY/EBC Bushwick) sent a ball that bounced off the keeper hands and into the left side of the net. This was Ortiz fifth goal of the season, Vera was awarded with his sixth assist of the season.

Then in the extra period, Dotti found an opening on a cross pass to record his team leading, seventh goal of the season and giving the Hawks a 2-1 overtime victory. Senior Noah Fessler (Metuchen, NJ/Metuchen) earned his sixth win of the season, making six saves in net and allowing just one goal in over 90 minutes of action.

The win improves Hunter to 11-7-1 on the season, while the Bridges fall to 6-9-2 overall. Hunter will now play the winner of #7 Medgar Evers and #2 York College on Saturday, November 8 at 2:00 p.m. at this year's host school, the College of Staten Island.