WEST HARTFORD, Conn. - Hartford women's field hockey team took on Gordon College for Hawktober Weekend. This match went into extra minutes but the Hawks ultimately fell short 2-1 against the Fighting Scots.

Rapid Recap:

• The Fighting Scots struck first of the teams, capitalizing on early offensive pressure to take a 1-0 lead off the stick of Maddie Ellrod. Hartford defender freshman Molly O'Donnell (Holyoke, Mass.) made a key defensive save for the Hawks in the midst of the Fighting Scots offensive press. The Fighting Scots controlled much of the opening minutes, forcing Hartford keeper freshman Carolyn Somers (Worcester, Mass.) to make a pair of saves and drawing multiple penalty corners. The Hawks generated some action of their own midway through the first as freshman Kyra Benard (Agawam, Mass.) took shots at the Gordon keeper Allyson Stauffer, but she stood tall to preserve the one-goal edge. 
• Hartford controlled the pace through the second quarter, generating a steady stream of offensive chances and penalty corners. The Hawks tallied five penalty corners and out shot the Fighting Scots. Stauffer for the Fighting Scots held strong in the net maintaining their 1-0 lead despite the Hawks pressure. 
• Hartford came out of halftime to even the score, controlling possession and keeping the ball deep in Gordon's half. The Hawks continued to earn key scoring opportunities off corners, but each attempt was matched with another strong showing by Gordon's goalie and defense. Despite a series of promising looks from Benard and senior Sara Costa (Shrub Oak,. N.Y.), Hartford was still searching for the tying goal as the third quarter came to a close.
• The Hawks' persistence finally paid off in this fourth quarter. The Hawks were taking chances at Gordon keep any moment they could. Senior Mikayla Mathews (Pittsgrove, N.J.) and sophomore Catie Melchiorre (Elmer, N.J.) tested the goalkeeper to set up the goal scorer Benard to capitalize off of a penalty corner taken by freshman Ashley Taylor (South Deerfield, Mass.). Benard slipped one by Stauffer in a tense pile up to bring home the equalizer and close out this final quarter 1-1 to send the Hawks to extra minutes.
• Hartford carried its momentum into overtime, earning an early penalty corner taken by Costa but her shot fell just wide of the frame. However, it was Gordon who capitalized on its opportunity late in extra time. With just over four minutes remaining Mj Larocchia scored off a set up from Lilyanna Hopkins to seal a 2-1 victory for the Fighting Scots. Despite the loss, Hartford showed grit and resilience throughout this match.

Inside the Numbers:

• Benard took 6 shots in this match and was the sole goal scorer for the Hawks
• O'Donnell added her second defensive save of the season in this match-up.
• Somers in net put up three saves for the team while the Fighting Scots had 11 saves this afternoon.

Up Next: 
The Hawks will hit the road to take Manhattanville University this upcoming Tuesday with a start time of 7:00 p.m.