Blue Devils Defeat Hawks Behind Beth Lloyd's Hat Trick on Friday Night

The Central Connecticut women's soccer team improved to 3-5 on the season with a 3-1 home victory over the University of Hartford on Friday night. Senior forward Beth Lloyd scored three second half goals to lead the Blue Devils back from a 1-0 halftime deficit. Freshman Allison Kelley assisted Lloyd on two of her goals. Central returns to action on Sunday at Albany.

For most of the first half the action remained in the middle of the field, with Central taking slight control. That quickly changed when the Hawks took the lead in the 40th minute when Breeanna Robinson scored unassisted on a break away. The Hawks took the one goal lead into halftime.

The Blue Devils responded scoring three second half goals, all by Lloyd. The first came on a penalty kick in the 49th minute. It was her third penalty kick score of the season. After Lloyd was pulled down from behind by the defender, she was awarded the penalty kick which she coverted for her sixth goal of the season. She scored again in the 65th minute, on an assist from Kelley, her first assist as a Blue Devil.

Lloyd's final goal came in the 71st minute when freshman Kerriann Welch passed to Kelley who quickly delivered the ball to Lloyd for the goal. It marked Lloyd's first hat-trick in a Central uniform.

Sophomore Jamie Trayer made her first start of the season in goal for the Blue Devils and earned the win, making six saves in the process. Kelley picked up her first two assists of the season. Lloyd now has eight goals this season while playing in just six games. She is the leading goal scorer in the Northeast Conference.

The Blue Devils return to action Sunday at the University at Albany. It will be their final non-conference game before begining the NEC schedule next week.