BOSTON - For the first time since last October, Emmanuel women's soccer fell on home turf, dropping a Wednesday night, non-conference match to the University of Hartford, 3-1, from Clemente Field. The Saints and Hawks entered Wednesday's match in the top eight of their respective regions, according to the United Soccer Coaches (USC). In Region I, Emmanuel was ranked eighth entering the night, while the Hawks were sixth in the ranks in Region II.
Hartford jumped out to a lead in the opening moments, needing just 17 seconds to get on the board. Coming out of their defensive third, an Emmanuel turnover at midfield started a Hawks counterattack. First-year
Anastasia Nerney slid a pass in behind the Saints back line to senior
Cameryn Wilkinson, who fired a shot past Saints sophomore goalie
Teigan Robie, giving the Hawks a 1-0 edge.
The University of Hartford doubled its lead in the 29th minute thanks to another Saints miscue in the back. Senior
Rebecca Opdenbrouw forced a turnover that put her in on a breakaway. A right-footed strike from 12 yards out found the bottom left corner, lifting the Hawks to a 2-0 advantage.
A third turnover by the Saints led to the visitors netting their third of the evening, coming in the 54th minute. A failed clearance allowed Nerney to break in on the Saints goal. Her attempt from 20 yards out was nearly tipped over the bar by Robie, but the shot snuck under the crossbar, putting the Hawks ahead 3-0.
The Saints would score a consolation goal in the 85th minute with senior
Loliana Morales getting on the scoresheet. From 25 yards out and in the center of the field, Morales cut on to her right foot and sent a curling attempt into the top right corner, leading to Wednesday's final of 3-1. The 85th-minute tally continued a 15-match streak in which the Saints have scored at least one goal.
Nerney finished the night with one goal and one assist. Her second-half goal gives her two tallies on the season. Senior goalie
Sejal Johnson made seven stops in the Hawks goal, earning the win to move to 4-1-1 this year.
Morales' late tally for the Saints is the first of the season for the senior midfielder. Robie made three saves for the Saints, falling to 2-2-1 on the year.
The Saints (2-2-1) return to play on Saturday, Sept. 20, as they travel to Mitchell for a conference match at 1:00 p.m. The Hawks (4-1-1) also head back into conference action on Saturday, hosting Western New England at noon.
