University of Hartford

WEST HARTFORD, Conn. - The Hartford Field Hockey team would welcome Manhattanville University for a non-conference matchup on Wednesday, September 30th where they would put together a complete team performance, shutting out the Valiants 5-0 while receiving goals from five different players and an outstanding performance in the cage from junior Nicole Ciampa (Jefferson, N.J).

Rapid Recap:

• Hartford would come out firing in the first quarter, as the Hawks would quickly establish offensive pressure. Just four minutes into play, sophomore Ashley Taylor (South Deerfield, Mass.) would open the scoring for Hartford, finishing off a go ahead pass from freshman Alexina Lentes (Agawam, Mass.). The Hawks would continue to move around the ball effectively and work together to create opportunities, finishing the opening quarter with two shots while holding Manhattanville to just one. 
• The Hawks would continue their momentum into the second quarter, as Lentes would find the back of the cage to extend Hartford's lead to 2-0. Freshman Olive Thatcher (Keene, N.H.) and Taylor would combine to provide the assists on the goal off of an awarded penalty corner. Manhattanville would generate more offensive pressure during the second quarter, recording six shots and four penalty corners, but Ciampa would stand tall in the cage with four saves. To end the quarter the Valiants would receive a yellow card as Hartford maintained its two-goal advantage heading into halftime.
• Hartford would come out of halftime ready to add to its advantage, as Thatcher would deliver a powerful shot and score to make it a 3-0 game off of a perfect pass from Lentes. Just four minutes later, sophomore Kyra Benard (Agawam, Mass.) would find the back of the cage off an assist from sophomore Ava Lipson (Colchester, Vt.), giving Hartford a 4-0 lead. The Hawks would dominate the third quarter attack, registering six shots while holding Manhattanville without a shot.
• The Hawks would cap off the scoring in the fourth quarter, as Lipson would score at 49:11 off an assist from Eva Nasse, giving Hartford a commanding 5-0 advantage. Manhattanville would continue to look for an opportunity to break through, recording six shots and two penalty corners in the final quarter. Ciampa, however, would prove to be unstoppable, making all six of her fourth-quarter saves to preserve the shutout. The Valiants would be awarded a penalty stroke where they would select Fiona Doherty to take the shot in hopes to get on the scoreboard. However, Ciampa would make a spectacular diving stick save, extending across the cage to block the dangerous shot to preserve the shutout. The Hawks would close out the final quarter with another strong defensive effort, securing the 5-0 victory.

Post Game Press:
"It feels amazing to contribute to today's win, especially comparing this year to last year's game against Manhattanville," says Ciampa. I played that game "I am going to be dreaming about that penalty save tonight."  

Inside the Numbers

• Taylor would lead the Hawks with five shots, all on goal, while Benard would add three shots and two shots on goal. Lentes would finish with one goal and two assists, while Thatcher would record a goal and an assist. Lipson would add a goal and an assist. 
• Manhattanville's Keira Guinan would add five shots and four shots on goal while Fiona Doherty would lead the Valiants with three shots, all on goal.
• The Hawks would finish with 12 shots and 10 shots on goal, while Manhattanville would record 13 shots and 11 shots on goal. Hartford would control the attack in the third quarter, outshooting the Valiants 6-0, while Manhattanville would hold a 6-1 advantage in the fourth. The Hawks would earn two penalty corners, compared to seven for the Valiants.
• Ciampa would play all 60 minutes and make 11 saves to earn the shutout, including six saves in the fourth quarter. Her biggest moment would come on a Manhattanville penalty corner, when she would make a diving stick save to deny the Valiants and preserve the shutout.
• The Hawks would finish with five goals from five different players, highlighting the team's collective effort throughout the contest.

Up Next

The Hawks will look to carry the momentum from tonight's victory into their next contest, as they host conference opponent the University of New England for Senior Day at 12:00 PM.

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