WEST HARTFORD, Conn. – The Hartford women's soccer team erased a two-goal deficit and score the game-winning goal within a six minute span to take a 3-2 victory over visiting Old Dominion (1-2-0) on Sunday at Alumni Stadium. Hartford's (1-0-1) trio of goals came from rookie Christin Horst and seniors Caitlin Alves and Caroline Dixon.

Horst and Alves scored 73 seconds apart to knot the game at two after allowing a first half goal from the Lady Monarchs and giving up an own goal early in the second half to trail 2-0. Both Horst and Alves received help from freshman Elise Galipo who provided her first and second career assists. The game winning goal off the boot of Dixon came on a penalty kick in the 77th minute.

The Hawks opened the contest putting the pressure on ODU's defense and keeper Brianna Alvarado, including a pair of opportunities in the first 120 seconds. The first came by way of a penalty kick just 65 seconds into the action as Arielle Aikens was pulled down inside the 18-yard box. The ensuing free kick came from senior striker Amélia Pereira but was pushed just outside the left upright.

Less than a minute later, the Hawks had another opportunity with a well placed pass through the defense where freshman Natasha Douglas was called offside, a step ahead of the defense. Pereira would then force the Lady Monarch's keeper into action three additional times over the next 33 minutes, while Hawks keeper Erin Quinlan was forced to make just one save in that stretch when she faced a shot off the boot of senior Kelly Evans.

Two minutes after Pereira placed a free kick attempt from 24 yards out into the hands of Alvarado, the Lady Monarchs used a free kick of their own to put the first notch on the scoreboard in the 38th minute. Junior defender Nikki Clarke sent the deep free opportunity into the six-yard box where a defensive header was off the mark and found its way to the head of junior Aubrie Ewell who scored from less than three yards out. Ewell's header fell just inside the left upright and out of the reach of Quinlan for her first tally in 2012.

Overall for the half, the Hawks held a 7-3 advantage in shots with a 6-2 lead in shots on goal. Alvarado finished the first half with six saves, while Quinlan registered just one stop. The Hawks also held a 6-1 advantage in corner kicks.

The Lady Monarchs would receive a two goal advantage in the 55th minute after a cross from Taylor Mertz was misplayed off a defenders foot and found its way to the back of the net. Just over five minutes later the Hawks would have an opportunity off a centering pass from Alves just missed the head of a diving Pereira.

With just under 21 minutes remaining in regulation Alves provided another threat this time as her centering pass curled in towards the crossbar and just before sneaking under the steel pipe was punched out by Alvarado, her eighth save of the match.

The Hawks then used goals 73 seconds apart to knot the score at two with just over 16 minutes remaining in the contest. The first goal came off the boot of Horst off a feed from classmate Galipo. Galipo's centering pass was intended for Alves but missed its mark but was picked up straight away by Horst who blasted her shot just under the crossbar.

Galipo also set up the game tying goal with another centering pass this time from left to right where she found Alves on the opposite side of the box. Alves made her third shot of the contest count as she beat Alvarado to her left, sneaking the ball inside the right upright.

A second penalty kick was awarded to the Hawks with 13:06 remaining in the contest, this time working in favor of the home squad as Dixon beat Alvarado, again to her right placing the penalty attempt just inside the upright.

The Hawks finished the contest with a 16-4 advantage in shots, forcing Alvarado to make eight saves compared to just two from her counterpart Quinlan. The Hawks also held an 8-2 advantage in corner kicks. Pereira paced the Hawks offense with six shots, five of which were marked on goal.

Hartford continues a four-game home stand with a pair of contests next weekend, the first of which welcomes fellow Nutmeg state rival Yale to West Hartford on Friday night. The Hawks and Bulldogs are scheduled for a 7:00 p.m. start at Al-Marzook Field. To purchase tickets contact the Malcom & Brenda Berman Athletics Ticket Office at (860) 768-HAWK (4-2-9-5) or email tickets@hartford.edu.