Hartford Women’s Field Hockey: A Close Battle Against Gordon College
The Hartford Hawks faced off against Gordon College during Hawktober Weekend. This exciting match went into extra time, but sadly, the Hawks fell short with a score of 2-1.
Game Highlights:
Gordon College started strong, scoring early with Maddie Ellrod finding the net. Hartford’s freshman defender, Molly O’Donnell, made a crucial save during this offensive pressure.
In the first quarter, the Fighting Scots dominated, forcing Hartford’s goalie, Carolyn Somers, to make several important saves. Though Kyra Benard took a few shots for the Hawks, the Gordon keeper, Allyson Stauffer, held her ground.
The Hawks picked up the pace in the second quarter, generating several penalty corners and shots but still couldn’t score.
Coming out of halftime, Hartford maintained possession and pushed the attack. Despite multiple chances, the Hawks couldn’t break through Gordon’s strong defense.
In the fourth quarter, hard work paid off for Hartford. Benard managed to equalize from a penalty corner set up by Ashley Taylor, ending the quarter at 1-1 and pushing the game into overtime.
In overtime, the Hawks carried momentum and won an early penalty corner, but Stauffer’s defense held firm. Just over four minutes into extra time, Gordon’s Mj Larocchia scored the winning goal, sealing a 2-1 victory.
Key Stats:
- Kyra Benard led the Hawks with 6 shots and scored their only goal.
- Molly O’Donnell recorded her second defensive save of the season.
- Carolyn Somers made three saves, while the Fighting Scots totaled 11 saves.
This match showcased the grit and resilience of the Hawks, fighting hard until the end. As they prepare for their next game against Manhattanville University, the team’s determination could lead to better results in future matches.
With stats from the National Field Hockey Coaches Association showing that only 5% of teams advance to postseason play, every game matters. Hartford’s journey reflects the competitive nature of collegiate sports, where hard work can lead to exciting outcomes.
Stay tuned for more updates as the Hawks continue their season!
