WEST HARTFORD, Conn. – University of Hartford defeated Wellesley College soccer, 5-1, in the two teams first-ever meeting on Wednesday at Al-Marzook Field at Alumni Stadium. The Hawks improved to 5-2-1 on the year while the Blue dropped to 4-3-1.

The home team broke through first with a goal in the 16th minute. Senior Rebecca Opdenbrouw (Vernon, Conn.) drove to the front of the net to draw out the goalie and a couple of defenders. Opdenbrouw then calmly passed back to senior Cameryn Wilkinson (Wethersfield, Conn.) who then scored a team leading fourth goal of the season into the top left corner. 

Wellesley tied the score in the 57th minute when sophomore Isabella Tolosa (Santa Clara, Calif.) took a corner kick and sent a bending ball towards the box. First-year Quinn Shirley (San Mateo, Calif.) was waiting at the far post and volleyed in the equalizer into the opposite corner of the net.  

Hartford retook the lead less than seven minutes later. Opdenbrouw received a pass from first-year Anastasia Nerney (Glocester, R.I.) near the top right corner of the 18-yard box. Opdenbrouw ripped a shot from a tough angle into the far left corner of the goal to put the Hawks back on top. 

First-year Sophia Coer (Thomaston, Conn.) gave Hartford a 3-1 lead 1:11 after Opdenbrouw's goal. Coer broke free from the Wellesley backline and was able to beat the outstretched goalie into the left corner. 

Opdenbrouw added a second goal in the 72nd, with Nerney recording a second assist of the game. Coer knocked in the fifth and final tally with 10:28 remaining in the affair.

Senior Riley McNair (Cupertino, Calif.) made five stops for the Blue in the opening 45 minutes. Senior Sejal Johnson (Weddington, N.C.) stopped one shot for the Hawks.

Each team next competes at 12:00 PM on Saturday, September 27. Wellesley welcomes MIT in a NEWMAC scrap while Hartford travels to Endicott College.