STONY BROOK, NY ? The University of Hartford women's soccer team clinched a berth in the Amreica East Championship with a 1-1 overtime tie at Stony Brook University on Sunday afternoon at Kenneth P. LaValle Stadium.

The Hawks (6-8-2, 4-0-2 AE) will be back in the championship after a year's absence, as they can finish no worse than a tie for fifth in the conference standings. Six teams will qualify for the championship, which begins October 27 at the site of the top-seed team. As one of only two unbeaten teams in the conference, Hartford has the opportunity to finish as the top seed and host the championship for the first time since 2002.

Hartford took control of the game in the first half on a goal by freshman Rachel Richards in the 31st minute. The goal, scored off an assist from junior Sara Flowers, was the first of her collegiate career. The Hawks took the 1-0 lead into the halftime intermission.

The Hawks held the lead until the 86th minute, when Stony Brook's Tiffany Fasullo knotted the game at 1-1 off a feed from Kristin Mishrell.

The teams went back in forth in both overtimes but were unable to score. The Seawolves nearly won the game when Kate Collins found herself one-on-one with junior goalkeeper Liz Cook in the 92nd minute. However, Cook stuffed the point-blank shot and then snuffed out an attempt on the rebound to keep the Hawks in the game. She finished with four saves.

Hartford closes out the regular season with a pair of tough home games next week. Third-place Binghamton will visit West Hartford on Thursday, October 19 at 6 p.m. The Hawks then wrap up the regular season against first-place Boston University on Sunday, October 22 at 2 p.m.