WEST HARTFORD, Conn. - Hartford field hockey team battled hard this Saturday against the University of Southern Maine Huskies ultimately falling 4-0 on their home turf.

Rapid Recap:
The Hawks defense absorbed early challenges from the Huskies, in the seventh minute Southern Maine capitalized off a penalty corner to take an early 1-0 lead. Freshman goalkeeper Carolyn Somers (Worcester, Mass.) stood tall, collecting five saves in the first ten minutes. The Hawks were unable to build any offensive momentum in this opening period.

The second period opened in similar fashion to the first, with the Hawks absorbing intense pressure from the Huskies and facing four penalty corners in the first five minutes. Somers and the back line turned away each attempt. Hartford's attack came alive in the closing minutes of the half. Freshman Kyra Benard (Agawam, Mass.) nearly equalized with a blistering shot from the top of the circle that was just wide of the net. Moments later, the Hawks entered their first penalty corner of the match, senior Jaylene Soto (Bayville, N.Y.) delivered a clean insert to senior Sara Costa (Shrub Oak, N.Y.) whose initial strike was turned away. Costa collected the rebound for a second attempt, but the Huskies goalkeeper remained strong, keeping the score 1-0 heading into the second half.

Southern Maine wasted little time extending their advantage after a good halftime talk, breaking through in the opening minutes of the third quarter. The Huskies slipped a shot just by Somers to cushion their lead 2-0. The Hawks continued to be tested in their defensive half, as the Huskies pressed back-to-back shots and a pair of penalty corners and three shots at net. Despite Somers turning away the first chances, Southern Maine found an opening and broke through at seven minutes to push the lead 3-0. The Hawks offense responded late, mounting a solid push of their own as freshman Ashley Taylor (South Deerfield, Mass.) and freshman Ava Lipson (Colchester, Vt.) put together some shots at net, yet unable to cut the deficit. 

The final quarter opened with Southern Maine earning a penalty corner from Addison Hawthorne putting the fourth goal away for the Huskies. Hartford switched gears putting the pressure on Southern Maine, earning eight consecutive penalty corners to close out this match-up. Each corner was delivered by Taylor and despite multiple shots from Benard, Lipson, and senior Mikayla Matthews (Pittsgrove, N.J.), the Huskies turned each attempt away, securing their shutout win 4-0.

• Somers had an incredible performance despite the score this afternoon with 14 saves playing all of 60 minutes.
• Costa led the team in shots on goal at 2 this afternoon, Lipson and Benard each shared a pair of shots at the Huskies defense.
• The Hawks lead in penalty corners earning 9-8 over the Huskies.
• The Huskies lead in overall shots to the Hawks 19-8 today.

Up Next:
The Hawks will host Albertus Magnus College this upcoming Tuesday at 3:00 p.m.