Women's Soccer Remains Undefeated, Moves Up in Regional Poll

The undefeated women's soccer team has moved up to sixth place in the regional rankings.

After playing Fairfield to a 1-1 draw on Thursday and following that performance with a 3-0 oust of UMBC in America East Conference play on Sunday, the University of Hartford women’s soccer team again saw its regional ranking in the National Soccer Coaches Association of America/Continental Tire poll move up two spots from eighth to sixth overall.

With an impressive mark of 8-0-2 on the season, the Hawks are off to what is arguably the best start in program history, matching the 1995 team’s win percentage of .900 through the first 10 games of the season. In 1995, the squad started the season 9-1-0 and went on to advance to the NCAA Tournament after capturing the North Atlantic Conference tournament championship.

Hartford boasts the only unbeaten overall record among the top 10 in the Northeast region. With a mark of 10-2-0, Big East member Marquette continues to hold down the number one spot in the poll after posting back-to-back wins last week. Seton Hall took home fifth place in the poll while fellow Big East squads Louisville and South Florida were both voted seventh behind the Hawks. America East foe Boston University (8-2-1) slid up one spot, moving from fourth to third with a 2-0 victory over Albany.

Hartford has shut out seven of its 10 opponents in 2011 behind a defense anchored by sophomore transfer Erin Quinlan. In just over 900 minutes, Quinlan has allowed just two goals, good for an impressive 0.20 goals-against average. The Hawks have also enjoyed a well-balanced offense this season as seven players have accounted for 18 of the team’s goals this year. Junior Amélia Pereira leads the attack with 14 points on a team-best five goals and four assists while Caitlin Alves (4 goals, 2 assists) and Mary Beth Hamilton (3 goals, 4 assists) rank second with 10 points apiece.

Hamilton earned the women’s soccer team’s third America East honor this season when she was named the league’s Player of the Week on Monday afternoon.

Click Here to View the Complete NSCAA Northeast Regional Poll.