WEST HARTFORD, CT ? The University of Hartford women's soccer team remained unbeaten in America East play with a 5-0 victory over UMBC Thursday night at Al-Marzook Field.
Junior Meagan Riemer scored two goals and added two assists as the Hawks (5-8-0 overall, 3-0-0 AE) won their third straight game. Sophomore Brittany Black and junior Maja Siosteen also netted goals for Hartford.
The five goals were the most scored by a Hartford team under head coach John Natale. The last time the Hawks scored five goals in a game came against Albany during the 2003 season.
Hartford got on the scoreboard in the 16th minute when Riemer sent a cross into the box from the right side of the goal that UMBC keeper Catie Bukowski tried to intercept. She dove for the ball but could only get a piece of it, and the result was a wide-open net for Black on the left side. The goal was the first of her career.
The Hawks' second goal came just 26 seconds later, as after the restart, freshman Laura Guigli stole the ball from a UMBC player and dribbled through the midfield. She looked up to find Riemer open in front of the goal at the top of the box and played a pass to her feet. Riemer turned and fired a shot past Bukowski to put the Hawks up 2-0.
Riemer tallied her second goal of the night in the 42nd minute, this time from the right side. After dribbling up the field unmarked, she rocketed a shot from a tough angle that clanged off the inside of the far post and into the net. The goal gave Hartford a 3-0 lead heading into the locker room at the half.
Hartford's fourth score came as the result of an own goal in the 59th minute. Junior Sara Flowers was attacking from the left side along the end line and crossed a ball into the box that was misplayed by a UMBC defender and kicked into the goal.
Siosteen capped off the scoring in the 71st minute with her first goal of the season. Riemer had the ball in the midfield and sent Siosteen on a run up the right side. The ball found her in stride, and she buried a shot inside the far post with her right foot.
Hartford controlled the pace of the game throughout and finished with a 17-3 advantage in shots and a 9-0 edge in corner kicks. Junior goalkeeper Liz Cook played the majority of the game and finished with one save. Freshman Becky Alaimo, making her collegiate debut, played the final 14:15 between the pipes and did not face a shot.
Bukowski, who finished with three saves, played the first 47:11 in goal but came out due to injury. Her replacement, Robin Babaris, finished the game and also recorded three saves.
Hartford will next play at the University of Maine on Sunday, October 8 at 1 p.m.
