WEST HARTFORD, Conn. — Hartford women's soccer rolled to a 4-2 win against UMass Lowell in its America East opener on Sunday. Four different players found the back of the net for the Hawks, who have gone unbeaten in its past seven matches.
Junior Kayla Lozada paced the Hawks with three points, including the eventual game-winning tally in the second half. With the win, Hartford moves to 8-1-1 (1-0 AE), while UMass Lowell drops to 2-6-3 (0-1 AE).
HARTFORD 4, UMASS LOWELL 2
- Junior Skylar Vitiello set the tone early for the Hawks, connecting on a scrum inside the box on a corner kick to make it a 1-0 lead in the fourth minute.
- A series of touch passes from junior Sierra Stone and classmate Kaila Lozada set up junior Bridgette Alexander, who finished from 10 yards out to double Hartford's lead to 2-0 in the 35th minute.
- In the 53rd minute, the Hawks extended their advantage to 3-0 on a penalty kick taken by Kailza Lozada.
- Lily Fabian cut into Hartford's lead in the 58th, hitting the upper left part of the net from 16 yards out, but senior Ashley Claud put the Hawks back up by three in the 65th minute after capitalizing on an open net with a shot from 12 yards out.
- The River Hawks delivered one final blow on a goal from Veronica Morrier from just outside the six-yard box in the 75th minute, but it wasn't enough for a comeback.
- Sophomore Maia Perez registered six saves for the Hawks, who outshot UMass Lowell by a 21-12 margin.
- River Hawks' keeper Julia Shneider registered 10 saves in the losing effort.
HARTFORD NOTES
- The Hawks' 8-1-1 record marks the program's best start since 2011, when Hartford opened up the season by going 8-0-2.
- Hartford improves to 5-1-0 all-time against UMass Lowell.
NEXT ON TAP
After a four-game homestand, the Hawks hit the road to face Vermont on Thursday. Kickoff from Virtue Field is set for 7 p.m.
