WEST HARTFORD, Conn.  – The reigning Eastern College Athletic Conference (ECAC) Champions are back in 2024 with a new goal, win the Conference of New England (CNE) Championship. 

In 2023, the Hartford women's soccer program ended the year with a 16-2 overall record, winning the ECAC Championship by a 6-0 final over the University of Pittsburgh at Greensburg on November 12th. The Hawks outscored opponents 93-15 in 2023 averaging 5.17 goals per game with 14 different goal scorers. Hartford also dished out 75 assists and had eight shutouts in net last year. 

2024 marks the first year that the CNE Championship can be won by the Hawks and after going 9-0 in conference play last season the expectations of a trophy seem attainable. 

THE CAPTAINS
The Hawks will be led this season by the three returning graduate students who each played a pivotal role to the success of the program in 2023. 

Christina Stone (Glastonbury, Conn.) has made 41 starts for the Hawks over her previous three seasons playing 3406 minutes in total. In 2023 Stone had a breakout year with a career-best eight goals and 19 assists.

"I am really excited to be back, not everyone gets a fifth year playing, so I am really excited be here with this group. In terms of expectations, we have two big goals. We first want to win the conference both in regular season and postseason play and then after that we are really hoping to make it back to the ECAC tournament and to win that for a second year in a row. So those are our goals. We have a lot of work to do, but I am just really excited for what is ahead."

Imani Jenkins (Middletown, Conn.) has started all 48 games in her collegiate career for the Hawks with 53 goals and 129 points in her career. Last season, Jenkins was spectacular with 33 goals and 16 assists, later being named a College Sports Communicators (CSC) Academic All-American. 

"Our expectations this year is to do even better than we did last year. Obviously we had a 16-2 record last season, which is awesome, but I think with the talent we have on the team this year we can do better. We also have the CNE Championship and ECAC Championship in mind, so two big goals to strive for, but I think we have it in us this year."

May Cervone (Milford, Conn.) rounds out the three graduate students, making 32 starts in her career up to this point. Cervone registered five goals and four assists in 2023 from the back-line, where she is a powerful defender. 

"I want our team to win the conference this season, but even more importantly, I want this season to showcase the hard work and passion that each of my teammates brings to training, and to see that effort translate into results and beautiful soccer on the field. What makes me incredibly proud to play my fifth year with this team is how each player contributes to our success and strong bond we have both on and off the field. I'm honored to be part of a group who share the same love for the game and unified goal for this season. I can't wait to watch how they continue to grow and succeed for years to come!"

COMING BACK TO WIN
In 2024, the Hawks return 18 members of the 2023 team including eight starters from the ECAC Championship game.

Key returners in 2024 include junior defender Lindsey Metcalfe (Palos Verdes, Calif.), sophomore forward Kathleen Brush (Weathersfield, Conn.) and junior goalkeeper Sejal Johnson (Weddington, N.C.). 

Metcalfe was a force on the defensive end for the Hawks in 2023 playing a team-high 1431 minutes with three goals and an assist. 

Brush had a stellar first year for Hartford with 12 goals and 10 assists including three game-winners in her 16 starts as a freshman. 

Johnson was amazing for the Hawks in net in 2023 with a 14-1 record, 0.86 goals against average and 53 saves on the year. 

FRESH FACES
In 2024, the Hawks bring in five newcomers to the roster looking to make an immediate impact. 

Midfielders (3): Angela Chávez (Glastonbury, Conn.), Alexa Frendo (Whitby, Ontario), Olivia Flores (Trumbull, Conn.)

Goalkeepers (2): Sydney Lenig (Colorado Springs, Colo.), Aislyn Rivera (Morristown, N.J.)

SEASON OUTLOOK
Head Coach John Natale and the Hawks have a 17-game regular season slate starting on September 3rd at Bowdoin College. Hartford's home opener comes on September 7th against Montclair State University with a 11:00 a.m. kickoff. 

The CNE schedule starts on September 21st with the reigning conference champions Endicott College coming to West Hartford for a 12:00 p.m. start. 

The Hawks were selected 1st in the CNE Preseason Poll with seven first place votes and 97 points overall. Hartford was also ranked #23 in the United Soccer Coaches (USC) National Preseason Poll. 

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