By D.F. Pendrys

WEST HARTFORD, CT – The Hartford Hawks women’s soccer team defeated St. Francis (Brooklyn) Saturday night by a narrow 1-0 margin in a game they largely dominated possession of. The lone goal came in the first half when Kelly Severini launched a free kick into the upper left corner of the net. Andrea Carina Costa Garcia picked up the assist on the tally.

Hartford came close quite often in the first frame, but just couldn’t get the last touch to put the ball into the goal They were also generating set pieces. St. Francis was unable to match the possession or offensive chances.

In the second half, Hartford continued on the attack as their efforts led to offensive chances. The Hawks were unable to turn a good number of corner kicks into another point though. St. Francis did generate more offensive attempts than they had in the first and Maia Perez had to make her lone save of the game on a credible shot.

The most serious opportunity for St. Francis came when Hartford misplayed a ball at the edge of the goal area, rather than clearing it, it popped up in the air. As the keeper, a Hartford defender and a St. Francis player fought for it, it ended up on a visitor’s foot with a wide open net in front of them. They however lofted it over the net keeping the score as it was.

In addition to the goal Severini was noticeable generating chances feeding the ball up field. Hartford’s Julia Atlee intercepted and cleared a St. Francis cross into the goal mouth as well.

Mia Rose Daly of St. Francis had several important clears in the game including one where she intercepted a dangerous centering pass into the goal mouth. Her teammate Brianna Van Giesen came up with several plays to disrupt the Hartford offense as well. St. Francis goalkeeper Klil Keshwar had 1 save on the 2 shots she faced.

Hartford is now 2-0 on the season. St. Francis is 1-1-0.