HARTFORD, Conn. (August 19, 2022)- The Stonehill College women’s soccer team not only made program history but also school history as the first-ever team at Stonehill to play in a Division I contest in the season-opener Friday afternoon at the University of Hartford. The Skyhawks fell by a score of 2-1 but saw the program’s first-ever Division I goal scored by Olivia Sharkansky in the 65th minute.
Scoring: Imani Jenkins (HART) 21′- Assist: Victoria Jedrychowski
Imani Jenkins (HART) 57′-Assist: Ishani Sharma
Olivia Sharkansky (STO) 65′
Goalkeeping: Hannah Copley (STO): three saves
Abigail McCarthy (HART): nine saves
The Details
- Stonehill almost had a chance early on (2:30) when the squad had a corner kick opportunity and Peyton Nickerson riffled a shot from the top left corner of the box that was knocked down by the Hawks defense.
- At the 21:57 mark, Hartford struck first Imani Jenkins sent her shot just past the reach of the Skyhawks netminder, Hannah Copley to make it 1-0.
- After the goal, the Skyhawks had two more chances for the equalizer before the end of the half but could not find the back of the net heading into halftime.
- Almost a little over ten minutes later in the second half (57:40), Jenkins tacked on another goal for the 2-0 advantage.
- Stonehill responded eight minutes later (65:46) when freshman, Olivia Sharkansky rifled in a shot near the top of the box past the Hawks goalie. Abigail McCarthy to cut the deficit to 2-1. Sharnkansky’s goal marked the first-ever Division I goal in program history.
- For the rest of the contest, the Skyhawks kept the pressure on as they outshot Hartford by a 10-2 margin but unfortunately could not put in the tying goal resulting in a hard-fought 2-1 loss. Overall on the day, Stonehill outshot Hartford, 20-15.
- Copley kept Stonehill in the contest finishing the day with three saves in the afternoon. It is her 11th multi-save game in her career.
Olivia Sharkansky celebrates as she scores Stonehill’s first-ever Division I goal (Photo Credit: Brian Foley) |
Wilson’s Words
“I think for us, we really came out well in the second half,” said Stonehill women’s soccer head coach. Alex Wilson. “I think after some adjustments and it’s about putting together a full 90 now moving forward, you know, I think we had a couple of good bids, obviously. First goal for Olivia Sharkansky was great and had some really good defensive performances. Peyton Nickerson. Kelsey Hatt, Hannah Wheeldenand Bella MacNeil came in and did a great job. But all around, it’s just about putting together more consistency, you know, across more minutes. Now off to get some recovery before, practicing next week and hitting out west to Colorado for two games and, and just some good team time together so we’re looking forward to that.”
Up Next
The Skyhawks will have some time to rest up before their next matchup in their longest road trip of the season out in Colorado when they take on Adams State next Friday, August 26 at 6:30 pm
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