Hartford, UMass Women Draw

Minutewomen Score First Goal of Season in 1-1 Tie

September 18, 2009

WEST HARTFORD, Conn. -- The University of Hartford women’s soccer team battled the University of Massachusetts to a 1-1 double overtime draw on Thursday evening.

Breeanna Robinson assisted on the Hawks' goal in Thursday's 1-1 draw with UMass. (Photo courtesy of Hartford Athletics)

Hartford (3-3-1) was first to strike in the 24th minute but saw Massachusetts (0-4-2) tie the game in the 51st minute. The Hawks had several scoring chances in the final minutes of the second half and extra periods, but couldn’t finish.

Overall, Hartford dominated the Massachusetts offensively, out-shooting the Minutewomen by a margin of 22-8.

Hartford put its notch on the scoreboard 24:05 into the game as Breeanna Robinson and Laura Guigli connected. Robinson set up her teammate with a cross from the left wing that Guigli knocked in from the top of the box. The goal was Guigli’s third this season.

Massachusetts knotted the game at one six minutes into the second half on an individual effort by Katie Ruggles. The senior, celebrating her 21st birthday, fired a free kick from the left flank that deflected off Hartford keeper Lauren Brodeur and trickled into the goal before Brodeur could regain control. The goal was the Minutewomen’s first of the 2009 season.

With 35 seconds left in regulation, Hartford had a solid chance to score a dramatic winner. Junior Mary Beth Hamilton unloaded a shot from the left side toward the far post that fell just wide of the net.

Freshman Emily Cota played the final 65 minutes in net for UMass, turning aside four shots to earn the draw. Senior Lauren Luckey played the opening half and had four saves. For the Hawks, Brodeur played all 110 minutes, allowing one goal and saving five shots.

The Hawks hit the road for back-to-back dates with Army on Sunday and Princeton on Wednesday. Game times are scheduled for 1 and 7 p.m., respectively. UMass will return to the pitch Sunday against Saint Peter’s at home on Rudd Field at 3:30 p.m.