WEST HARTFORD, Conn. – Senior striker Amelia Pereira scored a pair of goals, including the game winner in the 17th minute lifting the Hawks to a 4-1 victory over UMBC on Thursday night. Joining Pereira on the scoring front was fellow classmate Caitlin Alves and rookie Elise Galipo.

Hartford (6-2-3, 2-0-0 America East) struck early with Pereira scoring her first of two goals in the third minute off a feed from rookie striker Natasha Douglas. She and Pereira traded back and forth passes at the edge of the 18-yard box and after receiving the ball back, Pereira worked between two defenders and struck a shot from straight away to the lower left corner.

The Retrievers evened the tally in the 11th minute when junior midfielder Amy Savage connected on her second goal of the season. Stephanie Smith started the play with a long cross from the corner where Savage provided the header that beat Hawks keeper Erin Quinlan to her left as she moved to play the cross.

Pereira headed home her second goal of the contest in the 17th minute, this time connecting with junior Arielle Aikens. The junior midfielder battled one defender deep in the corner and after working her way to the edge of the 18-yard box on the left side of the net, provided a perfect cross. Pereira who was streaking down the center of the box read the cross perfectly and lunged between two defenders heading it to the right of UMBC keeper Lauren Kadet.

Alves gave the Hawks a two-goal cushion in the 24th minute working with Douglas deep in the box. Douglas, who worked her second assist of the game, was able to work the ball away from her defender and provided a short pass across the box, about four yards off the end line. Alves collected the pass and blasted her third goal of the season to the lower right corner well out of the reach of Kadet.

Hartford had a great opportunity with just over 25 minutes left as Pereira's header clearing attempt found the feet of Galipo who after turning with the ball easily found herself a few steps ahead of the defense. Galipo wasn't able to get a shot off as Alexa Quaranta did a fantastic job tracking down Galipo and clearing out for a throw in, allowing the defense to reset.

Sophomore Chanel Johnson had an open look at the net after a pass across the box found her feet, but her shot from six yards out deflected off the post and out of bounds. 48 seconds later the Hawks Kristen McAdams intercepted a clear attempt for the Retrievers and pushed a pass through the defense where Galipo found herself one on one with the keeper. After a couple dribbles, Galipo fired a shot to the lower left corner that Kadet's diving attempt missed. The goal for Galipo was her second of the season, while McAdams assists was the first for the rookie midfielder.

The Hawks finished the competition with a 10-8 shot advantage with Quinlan finishing the game with four saves. Kadet collected two saves, both of hers coming in the second half. UMBC did lead with a 7-5 advantage in corner kicks.

The Hawks will next play on Sunday, September 30 when they travel to New Hampshire for an afternoon matinee against the Wildcats. Hartford and New Hampshire are scheduled for a 2:00 p.m. kickoff. Last season the Hawks scored a 3-0 victory over the Wildcats with Pereira scoring the game-winning goal in that contest.