THE BASICS:

RESULT: Hartford 1, NJIT 0
RECORDS: Hartford (4-1-0), NJIT (2-4-0)
LOCATION: Al-Marzook Field at Alumni Stadium (West Hartford, Conn.)
THE LEAD: The University of Hartford women's soccer team picked up its third-straight victory on Thursday night, as it topped NJIT, 1-0, at Al-Marzook Field at Alumni Stadium. Despite the Hawks posting a dominant performance on the offensive end that featured a 29-6 shot advantage, it was a miscue by the Highlanders' back line that put the home squad on the scoreboard. NJIT's Kiara Goode kicked the ball into the back of her own net in the 77th minute to break open the match and eventually propel the Hawks to victory. Hartford, which put 12 shots on goal, held the Highlanders to just two looks at the goal, both of which came in the game's final 18 minutes.

HOW IT HAPPENED:

·         The Hawks got deep in the Highlanders' zone early and often, and posed several scoring threats throughout the entire match. The ball got rolling early for the home squad, as back-to-back looks were produced in the sixth minute out of a direct kick from 30-plus yards out. Freshman Julia Carr's blast on the free kick nailed the crossbar. With no NJIT defender able to secure the rebound, classmate Haley Nolan got her head on the rebound, but missed just high.

·         Junior Aaliyah Ingram and Carr went on to test NJIT keeper Samantha Bersett, who was down for the challenge after coming up with her first save in the fourth minute. Bersett stopped Ingram's shot to the far post from just outside the box in the 11th minute before she came up with the save on another blast from Carr following a foul in the 23rd minute.

·         Despite several other looks in the first half, the Hawks would come up empty as the two squads went into intermission with the game deadlocked at zero.

·         The momentum continued to remain in favor of Hartford in the second half, but Bersett continued to keep the Hawks at bay as she came up with several difficult saves. Following a steal deep in NJIT's zone, Carr produced another scoring opportunity after dodging a defender inside of the box, and rifling a shot in the 57th minute. Bersett again pulled through with the save, as the match remained scoreless.

·         The highlight-worthy saves continued for Bersett. In the 65th minute of action, Elise Galipo sent a hard shot from 40-yards out. The NJIT keeper punched out the shot, and after the ball bounced off the crossbar, she helped her team dodge a bullet by securing the rebound. The Highlanders would dodge one more bullet, as Caitlin Smallfield got her head under a ball that was served into the box by Julia Carr on a corner kick in the 71st minute. Bersett was out of place to make the play, but Julia Keebaugh bailed out her team and kicked the ball out before it reached the goal line.

·         A mishap on the Highlanders' defensive end is what ultimately lifted the Hawks to victory. Kiara Goode misplayed a ball in front of the six-yard box, and kicked the game-winner into the back of her own net in the 77th minute. NJIT had one chance at tying up the match as the final minutes winded off the clock. Following a whistle in favor of the Highlanders, the Hawks forced a corner kick in the 88th minute. On the reset, Dana Schules launched a header that was just high of the target.

INSIDE THE NUMBERS:

·         Hartford dominated both ends of the field, as it blasted a season-high 29 shots while limiting NJIT's attempts to six

·         Twelve of the Hawks' 29 shots were marked on target

·         The Hartford defense was shutdown, as it did not allow NJIT a quality look on the goal until the 73rd minute; the Highlanders finished with just two shots on goal, both of which were saved by Hawks' keeper Jessica Jurg

·         Samantha Bersett made several huge stops for NJIT and finished with a game-best 12 saves

·         The Hawks also held an 8-1 advantage in corner kicks

·         Pacing Hartford's offense with 10 shot attempts was rookie Julia Carr; junior Aaliyah Ingram added five shots, four of which were on goal

NEWS & NOTES:

·         Hartford has ripped off wins in its last three contests, defeating Iona (6-0), Sacred Heart (1-0 ot) and NJIT (1-0) during that stretch.

·         With her third-straight clean sheet, junior Jessica Jurg boosts her career shutout total to 17.

·         The Hawks improve to 2-0 against NJIT after defeating the Highlanders, 1-0, in Newark last season..

UP NEXT:

The homestand continues for the Hawks as they play their third-consecutive contest at Al-Marzook Field at Alumni Stadium on Sunday, Sept. 13. Hartford welcomes Bryant for a non-conference matinee with opening kickoff scheduled for 2 p.m.