act_WSOC_John Natale
Steve McLaughlin
0
Merrimack MERRIM (0-4-1, 0-0-0)
2
Winner Hartford HART (3-1-0, 0-0-0)
Merrimack MERRIM
(0-4-1, 0-0-0)
0
Final
2
Hartford HART
(3-1-0, 0-0-0)
Winner
Score By Periods
Team 1 2 F
Merrimack MERRIM 0 0 0
Hartford HART 2 0 2

Game Recap: Women's Soccer | | Hartford Sports Information

Hawks Down Merrimack for Head Coach John Natale's 150th Career Win

WEST HARTFORD, Conn. — Sophomore forward Chloe Layne struck twice within a four-minute stretch in the first half to lead the Hartford women's soccer team to a 2-0 victory against Merrimack on Al-Marzook Field at Alumni Stadium. The win marked the 150th of head coach John Natale's career at the helm of the Hawks.
 
The Hawks (3-1-0) remain undefeated at home in 2021 with a 2-0-0 mark. With the defeat, the Warriors fall to 0-4-1 overall. 
 
HARTFORD 2, MERRIMACK 0
Merrimack, which came out of the gates firing, nearly converted on the first score of the game in the opening minutes, but the Hawks' back line mustered up a goal-line clear to hold off the attack. Despite the early pressure, Hartford quickly took control to take a 2-0 lead less than 15 minutes into the match.
 
After a shot by sophomore Kelly Severini forced Merrimack keeper Michele Silva into action in the ninth minute, Layne began her scoring spree less than two minutes later when she one-touched a cross from freshman Jordyn Ferraro from just outside the box at the 9:59 mark. Less than four minutes later, Severini provided the service before a flick from Jenkins allowed Layne to finish the play from the goal line with a low shot to the left post to double Hartford's advantage to 2-0.
 
The Warriors pressured in the second half, and came inches away from cutting the Hawks' lead in half. In the 66th minute, Hallie Sehirs struck the crossbar on a blast from 40 yards out. The rebound fell on the boot of Molly Murnane, but her shot was sent just wide left of the post. 
 
INSIDE THE BOX & NOTES
  • Amidst his 18th season at the helm, Natale reached the 150-win mark in 16 full seasons, as Hartford's 2020-21 campaign was canceled due to COVID-19
  • Layne's multi-goal contest is the Hawks' first since 2019, when Sierra Stone ('20) struck twice against Delaware State (Sept. 15)
  • The sophomore's marker in the ninth minute was her first career goal
  • The Hawks have yet to concede a goal at home and have outscored their opponents by a 3-0 margin through two home matches
  • Perez was forced into action five times, including three times during the opening stretch
  • Perez recorded her 27th career victory and 15th career clean sheet 
  • She is currently seventh all-time in program history in wins and is tied for eighth in shutouts
  • Merrimack applied the pressure on Hartford's back line with a 15-13 edge in shots
  • The two teams finished even in corner kicks with seven attempts apiece
  • Hartford improves to 2-0 all-time against Merrimack
 
NEXT ON TAP
Hartford kicks off a two-game road trip on Sunday, when it heads to Easton, Pa., to face Lafayette. The match is slated for a 1 p.m. start from Oaks Stadium. 
For more information on the Hartford women's soccer team, stay with HartfordHawks.com for updates and follow the team on social media (Twitter | Instagram).
 
 
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