MADISON, N.J. – Senior
Imani Jenkins finished with a career-high four goals and an assist as the top-seeded University of Hartford women's soccer team advanced to the finals of the East Coast Athletic Conference (ECAC) with the 7-2 win over New Jersey City University Saturday on Robert A. Shields field on the campus of FDU-Florham.
Jenkins now has 30 goals on the season, establishing a new single-season record. The previous mark of 28 was set by Danielle Korbmacher in 1998. With the seven goals, Hartford now has a school-record 87 goals on the season, breaking the previous record of 85, which was set in 1997.
It didn't take long for the Hawks to get on the board as Jenkins scored in the eighth minute off a pass from senior
Christina Stone. The lead was doubled as Jenkins tallied an unassisted goal in the 29th minute.
NJCU was able to cut its deficit in half with a goal in the 32nd minute, and that was the halftime lead.
Hartford put three more goals over eight minutes of the second half to nearly put the game away. The Hawks added two more tallies down the stretch.
Sophomore
Sejal Johnson (13-1) finished with eight saves on 10 shots.
COACHES COMMENT
"We are excited and happy to be moving onto the final," said Hartford Head Coach
John Natale. "It was a great team effort. We had a slow start, but as the game progressed, we found ourselves and were able to push forward, score, and create great chances on goal. Our staff is really proud of the way this group handled themselves today."
INSIDE THE BOX & NOTES
- Jenkins has scored in nine consecutive games, including five straight with multiple markers.
- Stone increased her single-season mark with 17 assists.
- Senior May Cervone scored her fifth goal of the season and graduate Victoria Jedrychowski had her third assist of the season.
- Sophomore Rebecca Opdenbrouw has seven goals with sophomore Mayson Massaro getting her first assist of the year.
WHAT'S NEXT
Hartford (15-2) advances to face either reigning ECAC Champion, and host, FDU-Florham or Pitt. Greensburg 3 p.m. Sunday.
