America East Offensive Player of the Year Jeanette Akerlund scored two goals as University of Hartford (14-6-0) won the America East Women’s Soccer Championship today at Al-Marzook Field with a 4-0 win over third-seeded Stony Brook (6-11-4). Akerlund tied an America East Championship record with four goals for the championship as the Hawks won their sixth America East championship.
Hartford broke into the scoring column at the 16:21 mark, when Cindy Walsh picked up a loose ball and crossed the ball to Malin Engman, who put the ball past Stony Brook goalkeeper Cindy Bennett to the lower left corner. The Hawks extended their lead to 2-0 just under six minutes later when Erin Mucha put the ball to the bottom right netting. Hartford outshot the Seawolves 8-4 in the first half and took the 2-0 lead into the break.
Hartford pushed the lead to 3-0 at the 57:30 mark on a goal when Jeanette Akerlund finished off a flurry in front of the net, and put the game away with Akerlund’s second goal of the day at the 69:23.
Hartford goalkeeper Heather Hinton stopped four shots to record her ninth shutout of the year, while America East Rookie of the Year Cindy Bennett tallied three saves for Stony Brook.
Hartford junior Jeanette Akerlund was named the Championship’s Most Outstanding Player after scoring four goals over the weekend.
The Hawks advance to the NCAA College Cup for the sixth year in a row, with seedings and pairings to be announced at approximately 4:30 p.m. on Monday November 11 on ESPNEWS.
All Championship Team: Cyndi Poehner, New Hampshire, Kristin Ouellette, New Hampshire, Jen North, Northeastern, Liz Dyjak, Northeastern, Beth Arikian, Stony Brook, Katelyn Martin, Stony Brook, Victoria Feliciano, Stony Brook, Heather Hinton, Hartford, Tini Lyng, Hartford, Katharina Lindner, Hartford, Jeanette Akerlund, Hartford (Most Outstanding Player)
1 2 Final
Stony Brook (6-11-4) 0 0 -- 0
Hartford (14-6-0) 2 2 -- 4
Scoring
UH: Malin Engman (Cindy Walsh) 28:39
UH: Erin Mucha (unassisted) 34:10
UH: Jeanette Akerlund (Engman) 57:30
UH: Akerlund (Patty Woodson) 69:23
Shots: Stony Brook: 6; Hartford: 16
Saves: Stony Brook: Cindy Bennett, 90 minutes, 3 saves, 4 GA;
Hartford: Heather Hinton, 90 minutes, 4 saves, 0 GA
Corners Kicks: Stony Brook: 0; Hartford: 4
America East Championship
– all games played at Al-Marzook Field, West Hartford, Conn.
November 8, 2002
Semifinals
No. 3 Stony Brook 0, No. 2 New Hampshire 0
– Stony Brook advances on penalty kicks, 3-0
No. 1 Hartford 3 No. 4 Northeastern 0
November 10, 2002
Championship Game
No. 1 Hartford 4, No. 3 Stony Brook 0