THE BASICS:
 
RESULT: NJIT 2, Hartford 1
RECORDS: Hartford (1-1); NJIT (2-0)
LOCATION: University Stadium at Fairleigh Dickinson University (Teaneck, N.J.)
 
THE LEAD:
 The University of Hartford women's soccer team was edged by NJIT, 2-1, on Monday afternoon at Fairleigh Dickinson's University Stadium in Teaneck, N.J. Senior defender Caitlin Smallfield erased the Hawks' first-half deficit midway through the second with her first goal of the season, but Lizzy Wolfe struck late and sealed the win for the Highlanders in the 85th minute.
 
HOW IT HAPPENED:
 

• Neema Liverpool provided the Highlanders with an early edge in the match. In the 14th minute, she put the finishing touches on a cross from Arianna Gerber to make it a 1-0 NJIT lead. The Hawks had four chances to draw NJIT even before halftime, but came up empty handed.
• Smallfield brought the Hawks back from their first deficit of the season and evened up the score at 1-1 in the 65th minute. After a shot from teammate Alexander was blocked by the Highlanders' defense, she hit the back of the net with a high ball to tie things up.  
• NJIT avenged Smallfield's goal later in the half and took a 2-1 advantage with less than five minutes remaining on the scoreboard. Wolfe got a ball through the Hawks' defense, and after beating her defender, she eluded Hartford keeper Jessica Jurg with a shot to the left.
• The Hawks continued to apply pressure in an attempt to produce the game-tying score. Drawing two fouls in the final minutes just outside of the 18-yard box, senior Katie Connolly and freshman Sierra Stone blasted direct kicks at the 86:31 and 88:49 marks, respectively, but both attempts were off the mark. Those plays proved to be Hartford's last scoring opportunities down the final stretch.  

 
INSIDE THE NUMBERS:
 

• The Hawks held advantages in both shots (15-7) and corner kicks (2-1).
• NJIT keeper Karen David made three saves, matching Jurg for a game-high.

 
NEWS &NOTES:
 

• Smallfield's goal was her first of the season, and the second of her career.

 
UP NEXT:
Amidst their longest road trip of the season, the Hawks head to Delaware State to take on the Hornets on Sunday, Aug. 28. The first-ever meeting between the two squads is set to begin at 1 p.m. from Dover, Del.