WEST HARTFORD, Conn. - Entering the 2026-27 season, Hartford Women's Basketball looks to continue momentum from a 15 win season last year, with some old faces returning and some new faces joining the program.

Last Season Hartford finished with a 15-12 record under first year Head Coach Jackie Smith as the Hawks would win five more games than the season before in Smith's inaugural season. The Hawks would go a whopping 8-2 in the month of January helping them finish with an 11-5 record in conference play saw Hartford finish with the four seed and a playoff home game. In the First Round of the playoffs the Hawks would win it as they took down the University of New England 64-55 getting revenge from the year before where they lost to UNE in Biddeford. The Hawks would then head to Providence to face the number one seeded Johnson and Wales Wildcats 66-44 as their season ended.

The Roster:
After having a team of 17 players last season the Hawks only bring 11 to the hardwood this year. Seven Hawks return to the court at Chase Arena while they welcome 4 newcomers. 

Full Incoming Class: 
Guards (3): Kaylee Saucier (Woodstock, Conn.) Kharington Schwindt (Bloomfield, N.J) A'Kayla Richards (Brooklyn, N.Y.)
Center (1): Lily Soller (Cresco, Pa.)

Head Coach Jackie Smith commented on the reshaping of the roster over the past year. "We are heading into the 2026-27 season with a focused, and connected group. Our smaller roster size has created an opportunity for our team culture to develop into exactly what our staff envisioned. The group has embraced the opportunity, and we've been excited by the way they've come together, committed themselves to getting better and competed throughout the fall"

Season Outlook
The Hawks have a 25-game season to start the campaign they will head to Northampton, Mass. to take on St. Lawrence University and Smith College at the Tyler Tip Off Tournament. Then they come home for their home opener against the United States Coast Guard Academy on November 11th at 7 P.M. for their first of seven straight games at home. 

The Hawks have a difficult non-conference schedule this year playing two pre season top five teams. The Hawks play Number Five Smith College on November 8th at the Tyler Tip Off Tournament as well as taking on NYU who comes in as the preseason number two at the NYU Holiday Invitational on December 29th. 

In the first home slate, Hartford hosts their first of 16 CNE games when they take on Wentworth on November 18th at 5:30 P.M. 

Johnson and Wales, who knocked the Hawks out of the playoffs last season, is receiving votes in the D3 polls and they travel to Chase Arena for a highly anticipated rematch with the Hawks.

Coach Smith had this to say on Seniors Ava Naszimento (Secaucus, NJ) Tayrn Blevins (St. Louis, MO.) and Kendall Reiman (Chicago, Ill.)"Our senior class of Ava Naszimento, Kendall Reiman and Taryn Blevins has done an outstanding job setting the tone and leading our program. There is a strong understanding within our group of the daily commitment and standards it will take to continue building on the momentum from last season. We know we'll be challenged by a competitive non-conference schedule, including the Smith College Tyler Tip-Off and a holiday tournament at NYU, which will provide great opportunities for our team to grow and prepare for conference play." Says Head Coach Jackie Smith on the Roster and schedule to begin the season. 

All home games will be live streamed on the CNE Network powered by HUDL, while other game coverage can be found on the schedule home page.

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