HARTFORD, Conn. (Sept. 24, 2026) — UMass Boston fell to the University of Hartford 5-2 on Thursday afternoon despite a strong opening strike and a resilient fourth-period response from the Beacons.
HOW IT HAPPENED:
UMass Boston wasted no time setting the tone. Just 1:27 into the first period, Delaney Williams (Duxbury, Mass.) converted off a feed from Campbell Lambert (Rumford, R.I.) to give the Beacons an early 1-0 advantage — one of the fastest opening goals of the young program's season. Hartford answered at 10:19 when Kyra Benard equalized off an Alexina Lentes assist, sending the teams to the second period level at 1-1.
The second period proved to be Hartford's most dominant stretch. Benard struck again at 15:35 to put the Hawks ahead 2-1. Olive Thatcher extended the lead to 3-1.
Lipson added Hartford's fifth goal unassisted at 40:27 in the third period. But UMass Boston refused to go quietly. Alexis D'Angelo (Monroe, Conn.) netted an unassisted goal at 50:17 in the fourth period — the only score of the final frame — to close the margin to 5-2 and give the Beacons the last word on the scoreboard.
BEYOND THE BOX SCORE:
Williams led UMass Boston with four shots and four shots on goal, matching her entire shots-on-goal total from the previous six games combined. The senior's second goal of the season came less than two minutes into the contest and set an aggressive early tone for the Beacons.
D'Angelo's fourth-period strike was her fourth goal of the 2026 season, making her the team's leading scorer. The sophomore has been a consistent offensive presence throughout the year, and her unassisted finish in the closing period reflected the determination UMass Boston carried to the final whistle.
Lambert's assist on the opening goal was a standout moment for the freshman midfielder, who continues to make her presence felt in her debut season with the program.
Between the pipes, Jenna Smolinski (East Aurora, N.Y.) and Elizabeth Crowley (Medfield, Mass.) combined for 12 saves on 17 shots faced — matching UMass Boston's single-game high for the season. Smolinski, a freshman, handled the first two periods and made seven saves on 11 shots. Crowley took over for the final two periods and stopped five of six shots she faced, allowing just one goal. The tandem's performance kept the Beacons competitive against a Hartford offense that generated 23 shots and 18 on goal.
UMass Boston finished with nine shots and seven on goal, and earned three penalty corners.
UP NEXT:
The Beacons return to action Monday, Sept. 28, traveling across the pond to take on the Sharks of Simmons University.
To stay up to date on all things UMass Boston Athletics, follow the Beacons on Instagram (@UMassBeacons), and X (UMassBostonAthletics), and read the latest stories and updates here at beaconsathletics.com.
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