WEST HARTFORD, Conn. - The Hartford women's soccer team won its third-straight Conference of New England (CNE) title on Saturday afternoon defeating Suffolk University by a 3-0 final.
Rapid Recap:
- The first chance came in the 7th minute as Olivia Sharkansky had an attempt from far out but freshman Madelyn Nunnemacher (Sutton, Mass.) made the save. Hartford would get a huge chance in the 8th minute as senior Kathleen Brush (Wethersfield, Conn.) had a good attempt which was blocked off the line by Maya Spatafore. Suffolk would get another long range attempt in the 17th minute, but Nunnemacher made the comfortable catch. Hartford would get on the board first as sophomore Anastasia Nerney (Glocester, R.I.) drew a penalty in the 24th minute. Senior Reese Sadler (Newington, Conn.) would deposit the kick into the left corner as the Hawks would get the lead. The Hawks had another chance in the 31st minute as Nerney took a shot saved by Jaiden Wilds. The best chance of the half came for the Rams in the 38th minute as a counter off a corner had a open chance for Vivienne Murphy who skied it high. The Hawks would answer in the 40th minute as freshman Taylor Freimuth (Terryville, Conn.) would beat her defender and score a wonderful goal on the right hand side. Suffolk would get a final chance in the 45th minute, but Nunnemacher made the save as Hartford led 2-0 into the break.
- The second half started with a brilliant free kick from junior Angela Chávez (Glastonbury, Conn.) who found Nerney who just had the shot go wide. The Rams would almost get on the board in the 51st minute as Mackenzie Metka had a shot blocked by senior Mia Mangalji (Toronto, Ontario). In the 56th minute Freimuth almost had a brace as Chávez sent a perfectly weighted ball which Freimuth just put over the bar. The Rams would get a chance in the 67th minute as Spatafore would take a shot into the side netting. Brush would almost get the third goal once again in the 72nd minute, but Wilds would make the save. Hartford would make it three in the 77th minute as Chávez would find Nerney who danced and found the back of the net. Sophia Vasquez had a chance for the Rams late in the 81st minute but Nunnemacher would make the save. The Hawks would hold on the rest of the way to win by the 3-0 final.
Post Game Press:
"We knew Reese would hit the penalty", said sophomore
Anastasia Nerney (Glocester, R.I.). "Once we got one in we knew we had to keep the ball on the ground and play our game and we will be alright. It feels great winning tournament most outstanding player, but we all know it is a team game and we all worked really hard. I don't get my assist if Taylor doesn't finish that goal and today I don't have the goal if Angela doesn't set me up perfectly. So it comes from everyone."
"This year we had a large group of new players", said head coach
John Natale. "As the year went on they developed to become impact players within that group and along with the leadership of the senior class, it turned into a special year."
Inside the Numbers:
- Nerney was crowned the CNE Most Outstanding Player after finishing the CNE Tournament with two goals and an assist. Anastasia would draw the penalty before scoring the third goal in the game.
- Freimuth would score her 12th goal of the season in the win while Sadler had her fourth of the year. Chávez would pick up her sixth assist.
- Nunnemacher went the full tournament without allowing a goal making nine saves in the win today.
- Jaiden Wilds would make three saves, while Arden Rose would make a pair in the loss for the Rams.
- The Hawks out shot the Rams 16-13, Suffolk won the on target margin with a 9-8 advantage.
Up Next:
The Hawks will head into the NCAA Tournament for their second-straight season. The NCAA selection show is scheduled for Monday at 11:30 AM.
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