MIDDLEBURY, VT – The University of Rochester women's soccer team scored twice, once early and once late to earn a 2-0 victory over the University of Hartford on Saturday afternoon at Middlebury College's South Street Field during the opening round of the 2025 NCAA Division III Tournament.
 
Rochester's victory propels the 'Jackets into at-least the second round of the postseason tournament for the third straight season and for the 18th time in 23 total NCAA appearances. The Yellowjacket record now sits at 9-3-6 on the season, while Hartford's campaign ends with a 14-4-2 record.
 
On Sunday, 15th-ranked URochester will battle regional host and 12th-ranked Middlebury in the regional final, with a spot in the Sweet 16 on the line. That game kicks off at 1 pm, with the matchup being the first between the two programs all-time.
 
First-year Ava Schmidt scored the opening goal for the Yellowjackets just over four minutes into the contest, with classmate Delia McMullen notching a late tally to provide cushion on the scoreboard for Rochester.
 
In the goal, graduate student Sydney Moore made five saves in the shutout for Rochester, with Moore and the back line defenders of Claudia Ferreira, Baila Kessler and Remi Cherkas combining to limit the Hawks to just nine shot attempts in the contest.
 
Hartford entered the contest with some weapons offensively, ranking in the top-30 in Division III in scoring average at nearly three goals per game. Their roster included the College of New England Player and Rookies of the Year along with six All-League selections.
 
On Saturday, the Yellowjackets pressured immediately in the offensive end, earning a corner kick after just one minute of play. After the set piece was cleared away, Hartford transitioned and earned a good look at a goal with Anastasia Nerney taking a left wing shot that was saved by Moore.
 
Two minutes later, Rochester scored the opening goal of the contest following a short corner on the right side. Sydney Holmes quickly put the ball back in play and found a wide-open Schmidt just outside the box. The first-year turned and fired the ball towards net where keeper Sejal Johnson was screened, with Schmidt's attempt sneaking in through some traffic in front.
 
Four minutes later, strong work up the midfield led to another shot on frame by Natalie Santangelo, but her attempt from the edge of the box on the right side was saved by Johnson in the goal.
 
Over the next several minutes, Rochester continued to generate good scoring chances, none better than a shot from Holmes that was deflected by Johnson and rolled toward the goal line before being cleared away by the Hawk defender.
 
In the 18th minute, Ferreira got in deep along the left corner and centered a pass inside the six where Hannah Nagashima attempted a left-foot one-timer, but Johnson stood tall at the near post to deflect the ball away for a corner.
 
Hartford earned another shot in the 21st minute, but that attempt was blocked and then were held without a shot until the 44:49 mark of the opening period. That look was a header by Mayson Massaro, but Moore had a clean look at it and secured the save, sending Rochester into halftime with the one-goal lead.
 
In the 51st minute, Hartford's Angela Chavez had two shots blocked away by the 'Jacket defense, with a third ball getting deflected away for a Hawk corner. The ensuing short corner led to a Massaro one-timer attempt at goal, but Moore secured the save following the lofted shot towards the right post.
 
The score remained 1-0 Yellowjackets until the 84th minute when McMullen added the insurance score, tapping in a rebound goal after she initially clanged an attempt off the left post. The score was her fourth of the season and gave the Yellowjackets a bit of breathing room in the final ten minutes.
 
Hartford's last ditch effort saw a partial breakaway shot on goal by Kathleen Brush, but Moore kept the Hawk forward off the scoreboard, preserving the shutout.