WEST HARTFORD, CT ? The top-seeded University of Hartford women's soccer team advanced to the finals of the America East Championship with a 2-1 victory over fifth-seeded University of New Hampshire on Sunday at Al-Marzook Field.

The Hawks (9-8-2 overall) will host third-seeded University of Maine on Saturday, November 4 at 2 p.m. at Al-Marzook Field. The winner will receive an automatic bid into the NCAA Tournament. Hartford will be making its ninth championship finals appearance and will by vying for its seventh conference title.

Junior Meagan Riemer, who was named America East Striker of the Year on Saturday morning, scored a goal and added an assist on the game-winner as the Hawks ran their unbeaten streak to nine games. Sophomore Kacey Busque also netted a goal, her third of the season.

The Hawks got off to a good start, taking a 1-0 lead in the 15th minute off the foot of Riemer. She beat UNH goalkeeper Lynn Gugliuzza to a ball inside the box and tapped it past her to the right side. She then slid the ball at a tough angle into the left corner of the goal, her team-leading seventh goal of the season.

Riemer also got things started in the 40th minute for Hartford's second tally. She dribbled up the right sideline and centered a ball into the box for junior Sara Flowers, who played it to the left side. Busque took the pass from Flowers and one-timed a shot into the left side of the net for a 2-0 Hartford advantage.

New Hampshire countered 33 seconds later when Shaunna Kaplan fired a shot on goal that junior Liz Cook dove to stop. Cook couldn't get a handle on the ball and watched as it popped free to her left. She attempted to clean up the rebound but couldn't get to the ball before Sara Hourihan slid in to punch in her sixth goal of the season.

The Wildcats came out of halftime and controlled the pace for the start of the second stanza. Hartford, however, eventually regained its calm and began stringing passes together and creating chances. New Hampshire's best opportunity to tie the game came with four minutes remaining, when Amanda Wiggins blasted a shot from just outside the box that Cook dove and punched away. The rebound was collected by Hourihan and put back on goal, though freshman defender Rachel Richards booted the ball clear.

Cook finished with five saves while Gugliuzza made six. Hartford outshot UNH by a 13-12 margin and held a 7-1 edge in corner kicks.