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Women's Soccer Hosts Providence in Home Opener Thursday
MATCH 3 | Hartford Hawks (2-0) vs. Providence Friars (2-0) DATE | TIME: Thursday, August 23 | 5 p.m. LOCATION: Al-Marzook Field at Alumni Stadium (West Hartford, Conn.) TICKETS: 860-768-HAWK | Purchase Online COVERAGE: Live Stats | Watch TWITTER: @HartfordWSOC | #CapitalCityTeam FIRST KICK Hartford women's soccer puts its undefeated record on the line on Thursday when it hosts Providence in its home opener. The first kickoff from Al-Marzook Field at Alumni Stadium is slated for 5 p.m. HARTFORD QUICK HITS
Hartford looks to go 3-0 for the first time since 1999, and the fifth time in program history, on Thursday.
In 180 minutes of soccer this season, the defense has yet to concede a goal as the Hawks have outscored their opposition by a commanding 10-0 margin.
Hartford nearly swept the America East weekly awards on Monday with sophomore Gabriela Gamory earning Offensive Player of the Week and freshman Taylor Brown receiving Rookie of the Week distinction.
Six Hawks have found the back of the net so far this season, led by Gamory and junior Bridgette Alexander, who each have three apiece.
The winningest coach in Hartford women's soccer history with 126 victories, John Natale is currently in his 15th season at the helm of the Hawks.
The Hawks were picked to finish fourth in the America East Preseason Coaches' Poll.
SCOUTING PROVIDENCE
The Friars are also undefeated on the season with a pair of shutout victories against Holy Cross (2-0) and Fairleigh Dickinson (1-0).
Casey Estey, who was one of three Friars with three goals a year ago, scored in the 23rd minute to lead Providence to its most recent win against the Knights.
Picked to finish fourth in the 2018 Big East Preseason Poll, Providence finished 10-8-2 in 2017 and advanced to the Big East semifinals for the second time in three seasons.
INSIDE THE SERIES: HARTFORD LEADS, 7-4-0
Hartford owns a 7-4-0 record against Providence in a series that began in 1986.
Thursday's tilt ends an eight-year hiatus between the two clubs.
The Friars ride a two-game winning streak into the match with a pair of one-goal victories against the Hawks in 2007 and 2008.
LAST TIME OUT: HARTFORD 3, SIENA 0
Hartford downed Siena, 3-0, on Siena Field on Monday for its second-straight shutout victory.
Alexander scored twice in the contest, netting the to-ahead goal in the 25th minute before tacking on an insurance tally in the 58th minute.
Sophomore Maia Perez registered a pair of saves to earn her fifth career shutout victory.
NEXT ON TAP Non-conference action continues with a morning match at Manhattan on Sunday. The Hawks and Jaspers are slated for a 10 a.m. kickoff from Gaelic Park in Riverdale, N.Y.
