The University of Hartford women's soccer team has been on campus for nearly one full week, with preseason practices and training sessions now in full swing. Head coach John Natale joined HartfordHawks.com to discuss how the first five days of preseason went, and to talk about rising junior midfielder Hayley Nolan, who was recently named captain of the Hawks.



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Recently chosen as the preseason favorite to win the America East in a poll of the league's head coaches, the Hawks are seeking their fourth-straight America East Regular-Season title in 2017. Natale's squad is youth-driven with seven upperclassmen, including five juniors and a pair of redshirt-juniors. Five 2016 America East All-Conference honorees highlight those returning players, including reigning America East Rookie of the Year Sierra Stone, who also received All-Conference Second Team and All-Rookie Team laurels, and Julia Carr (First Team), Nolan (Second Team), Kaila Lozada (All-Rookie Team) and Madison Stabile (All-Rookie Team).

Joining the mix will be nine newcomers as Beatriz Correia, Anna Cronin, Alexis Doran, Gabriela Gamory,Alex Hoffman, Magalie Kayrouz, Nissa Pereira, Maia Perez and Karoline Petersen will be making their Hawks' debuts on Sunday, Aug. 20, with a trip to Fairleigh Dickinson. First kick is slated for 12 p.m.