WEST HARTFORD, Conn. - The University of Hartford women's soccer team soared to victory claiming the CNE Championship over #3 Seed Gordon College this Saturday afternoon.

Rapid Recap:

• The Hawks started the first half off by making a statement early with a goal off the foot of junior Rebecca Opdenbrouw (Vernon, Conn.) within the first four minutes of play. Freshman Angela Chavez (Glastonbury, Conn.) was the Hawk to find Opdenbrouw and added to this early lead. The Hawks stayed aggressive in the Fighting Scots half putting up back to back shots from sophomore Kathleen Brush (Wethersfield, Conn.) and Opdenbrouw. Second shot was saved by Fighting Scots keep Bengtson. In the 14th minute of play, graduate student Imani Jenkins (Middletown, Conn.) drilled the ball into the back of the net to continue the Hawks lead to 2-0 in less than the first 15 minutes of the game. The entire first half the Hawks challenged the Fighting Scots defense with three shots at net before their next goal in the 20th minute. This time it is off of the foot of Chavez as she grabs a goal of her own with a swift turn move and drills the ball into the back of the top net off of her left foot. Hawks lead 3-0. Hawks had multiple chances at net with two corner kicks taken by Brush and graduate student Christina Stone (Glastonbury, Conn.). The Fighting Scots Forbes had an attempt to close the lead but placed the ball just out right. The Hawks were not finished before heading into half time; Stone launches a perfectly placed corner kick, Opdenbrouw receives the cross and tosses it to sophomore Morgan Egan (East Granby, Conn.) as she nabs the fifth goal of the match. Graduate student May Cervone (Milford, Conn.) attempted a goal of her own to make up the last play of the half but was saved by Fighting Scots keep Bengston. 
• The Hawks opened the second half with power with a shot just above the crossbar from Jenkins, followed right behind by Brush having an attempt of her own. The game got a little chippy as we moved through the second half with a few fouls for both teams and a yellow card on Gordon's Galvin. The Hawks maintained pressure in the Fighting Scots half and Jenkins claims her second goal of the match as she beats two defenders and the keeper to slip the ball into the net assisted by Brush. Hawks lead 6-0. The Hawks found themselves in foul trouble of their own with a yellow card given to junior Cameryn Wilkinson (Wethersfield, Conn.) in the 70th minute of play. The Hawks last chance to build their lead was in the 89th minute as Jenkins chips the ball to the hands of the Fighting Scots keep Mini. The Hawks win their first CNE championship for both the team and the school. 

Post Game Press:
Graduate student Imani Jenkins (Middletown, Conn.) was asked how it feels to be a conference champion at the end of the game, "We set this goal early in the season, we put in the work, we woke up at 5 A.M. every morning for practice, so this feels amazing." She continued to say, "I don't think a lot of people can say they ended their college career with a championship, I am still trying to soak it all in and I love this team."

Graduate student Christina Stone (Glastonbury, Conn.) said, "I am still processing this win, but I am so grateful to be a part of this team and to have this experience I just couldn't ask for better teammates."

Graduate student May Cervone (Milford, Conn.) said, "I have never been so proud to play for a team, all of these girls put the work in, have made an impact on this team, this school, and on my life personally. I am forever grateful for this experience." When asked to reflect on their shut-out defensive performance this season she continued to say, "this stems from Sejal, and the entire defensive line: Metcalfe, Juliana, Andrea, and Mia, it is amazing to have a defense that is solid and continues to work for eachother no matter what."
Inside the Numbers:

• Opdenbrouw leads the Hawks offensively with an impressive two goals and an assist, along with three shots at goal.
• Jenkins followed right behind with two goals of her own with four shots on net.
• Chavez grabbed her third goal of season in today's match with her clever goal to the upper right.

Up Next: 
Hartford is waiting to hear if they will be in the ECAC tournament, selection will begin next week. 

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