POUGHKEEPSIE, N.Y. - The University of Hartford women's soccer team won its third-straight Conference of New England (CNE) Championship on November 7th clinching a NCAA Tournament berth for the second consecutive season. The Hawks will try to pick up their first tournament win since 2000 taking on #12 Vassar College on Saturday at 1:30 PM.
RV University of Hartford Hawks (13-3-1 Overall, 8-2-0 CNE)
#12 Vassar College Brewers (11-1-5 Overall, 6-1-2 Liberty League)
Game Headlines:
- Hartford looks to win a NCAA Tournament game after falling last year in their return to the tournament to the University of Rochester by a 2-0 final.
- The Brewers return to the NCAA Tournament for its third-straight season and will look to win in the tourney for the first time since a 1-0 victory over St. Mary's College of Maryland on November 16th of 2024.
- Vassar will host the first two rounds of the tournament in Poughkeepsie and the winner will take on the winner of #7 Tufts University and Husson University.
Hartford Headlines:
- Hartford finished the season as the #44 team according to the NPI as of November 8th for the selections for the tournament.
- Hartford had nine CNE All-Conference Teams selections. The Hawks would have five first team all-conference choices, one second team selection and three third team representatives. Senior Mia Mangalji (Toronto, Ontario) and freshman Madelyn Nunnemacher (Sutton, Mass.) were both major award winners with Mangalji being named the CNE Defensive Player of the Year and Nunnemacher being named the CNE Goalkeeper of the Year. Mangalji, Nunnemacher, senior Reese Sadler (Newington, Conn.), senior Kathleen Brush (Wethersfield, Conn.) and junior Angela Chávez (Glastonbury, Conn.) were the first team selections. Sophomore Anastasia Nerney (Glocester, R.I.) was the second team choice and freshman Taylor Freimuth (Terryville, Conn.) senior Morgan Egan (East Granby, Conn.) and freshman Alyssa Koczak (Canton, Conn.) were on the third team.
- Hartford would win both CNE Tournament games outscoring opponents 6-0 with a pair of 3-0 victories. The Hawks would win the CNE Tournament behind goals by Sadler, Freimuth and Nerney, while Nunnemacher made nine saves in the title game. Nerney would be named the CNE Tournament Most Outstanding Player after scoring two goals and an assist in the two games while also drawing a penalty.
- Under head coach John Natale the Hawks are outscoring opponents 44-13 on the year. Hartford also comes into the game unbeaten on the road holding a 6-0-1 record with the only draw coming in the season debut against Montclair State University.
Vassar College Highlights:
- Vassar College finished the year with #26 according to the NPI of November 8th for the selections of the tournament.
- The Brewers won their second-straight Liberty League Title defeating Union College and #15 William Smith College. Vassar would sneak by the Garnet Chargers in penalties before beating the Herons by a 2-1 score to win the title.
- Vassar would see eight All-Liberty League selections including two major award winners. Alice Crowley would be named the player of the year after scoring 10 goals and four assists on the season, while Cecelia Wager won the defensive player of the year honors.
- Madeline Buckley is the head coach of the Brewers in her first season as the head coach. Buckley came to Vassar after being the head coach at Macalester for the previous four years. Buckley led the Brewers to a 11-1-5 record in her first season with a 5-0-2 record at home. Vassar would out score opponents 44-6 this year.
Tournament Information:
Tickets (Link for Online Purchase)
Adults - $15
Seniors & Students - $5
All Session Passes - $25
Children 12 and under - FREE
Vassar Students WITH ID - FREE (Courtesy of the Brewers Fund)
Live Stream Link
Full Bracket Link
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