The University of Hartford women's soccer team is headed back to the NCAA Division III Tournament after capturing its third consecutive Conference of New England championship.
Playing before a home crowd at Al-Marzook Field on Nov. 7, the Hawks defeated Suffolk University, 3-0, to secure the conference title and the league's automatic berth into the NCAA Tournament. Hartford finished the regular season and conference postseason with a 13-3-1 record.
In the championship match, Reese Sadler opened the scoring on a penalty kick before Taylor Freimuth added a second goal before halftime. Anastasia Nerney sealed the victory with a second-half goal. Goalkeeper Madelyn Nunnemacher helped preserve the shutout as the Hawks completed the conference tournament without allowing a goal.
The NCAA announced the 64-team Division III championship field on Nov. 9, with Hartford receiving the Conference of New England's automatic qualification. The Hawks will open tournament play against Vassar College on Saturday, Nov. 14, in Poughkeepsie, N.Y.
The NCAA tournament appearance marks the second consecutive year Hartford has advanced to national postseason play, continuing the program's momentum as one of the region's top programs.