BRISTOL, R.I. - The Hartford women's soccer team defeated Roger Williams University away from home Saturday afternoon with a final score of 3-1. This win takes the Hawks to 9-3-2 on the season and 4-3-0 in Conference of New England (CNE) play.

Rapid Recap:

• The day started with the hosts out on the front foot, nabbing three shots on target in the first ten minutes of action. Senior keeper Sejal Johnson (Weddington, N.C.) was able to save all three attempts and keep the score level, but Roger Williams was threatening. As the game began to settle, the Hawks started to shift the momentum of the match, whipping shots at the Roger Williams goal and winning corners. It was in the 32nd minute where, off of a corner, Hartford worked a beautiful set piece to free up junior Reese Sadler (Newington, Conn.) for the opening goal of the game. The rest of the half went by with neither team threatening the other until, in the 44th minute, Johnson was forced to repel what would have been the equalizing goal to keep the Hawks ahead 1-0 going into halftime.
• The second half began similarly to the first, with Roger Williams attempting to ambush Hartford out of the gates. Unlike the first half, however, they were able to find the breakthrough thanks to midfielder Julia Robbins as she leveled the score at 1-1 in the 48th minute. The concession was a wake-up call for the Hawks as it seemed to make them come out more aggressive in the aftermath. They controlled possession and looked determined to break the deadlock, though for a while, Roger Williams' defense was able to hold them at bay. That was until the 60th minute where freshman Sophia Coer (Thomaston, Conn.) was able to pick out senior standout Rebecca Opdenbrouw (Vernon, Conn.) for Hartford's second of the match. The goal seemed to deflate Roger Williams, exacerbating their fatigue as their play turned sloppy, getting caught in offside traps and committing frustration fouls. Despite this, the Hawks were not able to take them out of striking distance with the lead remaining just one goal. The two sides would trade threatening attacks back and forth as both teams' keepers made save after save in this exciting end to the match. It would all culminate in the 89th minute where Opdenbrouw would find the breakthrough for Hartford and deliver a goal to make it a two-goal lead. The goal would serve to be the final nail in the coffin, as the final score would read 3-1 in favor of the Hawks.

Post Game Press:
"I think today was a big test and our team as a whole all showed up and gave it their all," said Opdenbrouw. "The result was exactly what we needed to keep our heads up and push us through the rest of this season."

Inside the Numbers:

• Opdenbrouw was crucial for the Hawks, contributing to all three goals and ending with two goals and one assist.
• Coer proved to be the top facilitator for the Hawks, finishing with two assists to her name.
• Johnson netted herself seven saves and only conceded one goal.
• The Hawks out-shot RWU 20-18 and had more shots on target 11-8.

Up Next:
The Hawks will host Nichols College in a Conference of New England match-up on Wednesday, October 22nd at 4:00 PM.