Box Score NEW ROCHELLE, N.Y. – The University of Hartford women's soccer team (1-0-2 overall) posted a 1-1 stalemate in their second road game in 2013 tying the Iona Gaels (0-2-1 overall) at Mazzella Field in New Rochelle. The Hawks lone score in the contest came in the opening half when senior Arielle Aikens scored on a shot from outside the 18-yard box.
Hartford keeper Alison Koerkenmeier, a junior transfer from Trenton, Ill., finished one save while she a total of just five shots from the Gaels. Hartford finished the game with 13 shots, forcing the Iona keeper, Trisa Rivera, to make seven saves.Â
The Hawks were on the offensive right out of the gates as Aikens provided the first shot of the game in the sixth minute. Her scoring attempt was thwarted by the Gaels defense before reaching the goal.
Sophomore Chanel Johnson provided the Hawks next opportunity in the 24th minute when she dribbled around the defense and had a straight away look at the net at the top of the 18-yard box. The Gaels keeper collapsed on Johnson's shot for her first save of the game.
One minute later Aikens broke through the defense and found the back of the net, putting the visitors on the board. The strikers shot came from outside the box and found the lower left corner of the net for the first half advantage.
Iona saw its best opportunity come in the 27th minute as the Gaels worked through the Hartford defense for a shot to the left of Hawks keeper Koerkenmeier that careened off of the opposite upright. The Gaels rebound opportunity from Sofia Sanchez forced Koerkenmeir to collect her first save of the contest.
With nine minutes remaining before the halftime break, Johnson blasted her third shot of the game which was point blank on the net but ricocheted off an Iona defender without forcing the Gaels keeper into action.
Thirteen minutes into the second half Johnson provided Hartford's first opportunity in the period when she fired a shot that forced Iona's keeper to make a jumping save. Two minutes later the Gaels knotted the score at one when senior Nicole Paulucci scored Iona's first goal in 2013.
Hartford had its next opportunity come in the 64th minute when sophomore transfer Stephanie Santos fired a shot as she fell to the ground. Her shot was caught in front of the net by the Gaels netminder. Â
In the initial overtime period the Hawks had the first scoring opportunity one minute into the action when Johnson fired a shot between a pair of defenders that was kick saved by the Iona keeper. Senior Natasha Douglas fired a second shot off the rebound which the Gaels keeper was also able to get a hand of and eventually collect the ball ending the opportunity.
Iona's best opportunity in the overtime came four minutes into the second overtime when they had a free opportunity three yards outside the top of the box, however the Gaels attempt sailed over the crossbar.
Four minutes later the Hawks had a free kick opportunity that came to the head of Johnson, whose attempt bounced off the bottom of the crossbar and over the defense out of the box.
The Hawks will return to West Hartford for their next contest when they welcome fellow nutmeg state rival Fairfield Stags to Al-Marzook Field at Alumni Stadium. Hartford and Fairfield are scheduled for a 7 p.m. kick off on Thursday, September 5.Â
