MONTCLAIR, N.J. - The Hartford women's soccer team kicked off the 2026 season in New Jersey on Friday afternoon drawing with Montclair State University by a 2-2 final.
Rapid Recap:
- The teams started off slow with the Hawks dominating early possession with Montclair content to play back in their shape. The Red Hawks would get the first shot on target in the game in the 15th minute but junior Aislyn Rivera (Morristown, N.J.) would make a comfortable save. On the counter the Hawks would hit the net, but senior Kathleen Brush (Wethersfield, Conn.) was deemed offside to keep the score at 0-0. Freshman Alyssa Koczak (Canton, Conn.) would get the first shot on target for Hartford ripping a shot from outside the box which was comfortably handled by Mackenzie Sibello. Hartford would get on the scoresheet first in the 38th minute as a corner dropped in front after after a save from Sibello, junior Sara Rieger (Waxhaw, N.C.) would finish the rebound to give the visitors the 1-0 lead. Montclair would get another half chance in the 42nd minute, but Rivera would make another comfortable save as the Hawks led 1-0 headed into half.
- Hartford would come out of the halftime strong getting a quick goal just three minutes into the second half as Brush sent a through ball mishandled by the defender which found the foot of freshman Taylor Freimuth (Terryville, Conn.) who picked up the second goal. Montclair State would wake up after the second goal, scoring twice within next 20 minutes to erase the Hawk lead. It started in the 52nd minute where Samira Lukovic would score to cut the deficit in half. In the 69th minute the game was tied as against play in transition Kaylee Lauber won a foot race and tapped it past Rivera to even the score at 2-2. In the 79th minute Isabell Kronow would have an attempt on net but freshman Madelyn Nunnemacher (Sutton, Mass.) would make a huge save to keep the game tied. Nunnemacher would make another save for the Hawks in the 82nd minute, while Freimuth would also get a chance turned away by Sibello. Hartford would earn a free kick outside the box in the 83rd minute, but did not end in a chance. Lukovic would hit the crossbar and get a final shot in the contest, but the Hawks would contain Montclair State University as the game ended in a 2-2 draw.
Inside the Numbers:
- Rieger picked up her first Hawk goal just seven minutes into her debut for Hartford. Freimuth added her first collegiate goal in the draw.
- Rivera would make four saves in the first 68 minutes before leaving due to injury. Nunnemacher would make three saves to keep the game tied in the 22 minutes of relief.
- Lukovic picked up her first goal of 2026, while Lauber tallied her third of the season for the Red Hawks.
- Sibello made five saves while allowing two goals in the tie.
- Montclair had a 15-8 advantage in total shots, but only led 9-7 with on target attempts.
Up Next:
The Hawks host Emmanuel College on Sunday in the 2026 home opener with a 3:00 PM kickoff.
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