BOX SCORE

WEST HARTFORD, Conn. - On Senior Night at Al-Marzook Field at Alumni Stadium, the Hartford women's soccer team took control early and shut the door on UMBC, earning a 2-0 shutout victory and clinching a spot in the upcoming America East Tournament. Alex Uscilla and Lizzy Clarke scored less than five minutes apart in the first half as the Hawks jumped all over the Retrievers early to lock down the victory.

Uscilla, with a score and two shots on goal, was the Player of the Match for Hartford. Nicole Clark, who also put up two shots on goal, took home the honors for UMBC.

The Hawks (6-8-3, 3-2-2) have guaranteed themselves a spot in the conference tournament with the victory, by virtue of a tiebreaker with Binghamton. Currently tied with New Hampshire for third place in the league, the Hawks could move up to second place with a victory at UNH on Sunday and a Stony Brook loss against Binghamton that same afternoon.

After a Senior Night ceremony honoring graduating team members Michelle Babin, Ashley Michaud and Karen Ray, the Hawks seized control right out of the gate, barely allowing the Retrievers to advance the ball into their side of the field during the game's first 25 minutes. Hartford had five shots, including three on goal, when sophomore Amelia Pereira gobbled up a loose ball at the top of the 18-yard box and connected on a pass to a cutting Uscilla. From point blank range, Uscilla punched the ball to the back of the net, giving the Hawks all the offense they would turn out to need.

Less than five minutes later, the Hawks were back on the attack. This time, Caroline Dixon put a perfectly-placed ball on the foot of Lizzy Clarke cutting up the right side of the pitch. From just inside the box, Clarke unleashed a liner that beat UMBC's Lauren Kadet over her right shoulder, giving Hartford a cushion at 2-0.

The Hawks once again benefited from an aggressive and tenacious defensive effort. Hartford allowed just four total shots, two in each half. Only three shots reached goalkeeper Lauren Brodeur, who made all three saves.

Hartford closes its regular season on Sunday in a game that now has serious seeding implications in the America East Championship. The Hawks and New Hampshire Wildcats are currently tied for third in the league, and square off in Durham, N.H. on Sunday afternoon at 2:00 p.m. The top four seeds will host at least one game in the tournament, with the top two teams getting byes into the semifinals.