Hawks Shine With AE All-Conference Honors

Five Hawks combined to take home seven All-Conference awards, the America East announced Friday. Highlighting Hartford’s honorees were sophomores Kelly Severini, named the league’s First Team and All-Rookie Team, and Chloe Layne, who took home Second Team and All-Rookie honors. Sophomore Imani Jenkins also earned a spot on the All-Rookie Team. At the same time, fifth-year seniors Alexis Doran and Maia Perez rounded out the Hawks’ honorees, each earning a spot on the America East All-Academic Team.

Severini, a first-year player from Union, N.J., had a sensational debut campaign with the Hawks. Starting all 16 games, the defender finished second in both goals (4) and assists (3). Logging 1,445 minutes, Severini also anchored a defense that led the America East in goals-against average and was second in shutouts this season.

Chloe Layne led an explosive Hartford attack that finished second in the America East in both goals per game (1.50) and points per game (4.44). A first-year player, she put up team-best numbers in assists (4) and points (16) while finishing tied with classmate Jenkins for the team lead in goals (6).  Layne started in all 16 games and led the Hawks’ offense throughout conference play with three goals and three assists for nine points, sixth-most in the America East. On the season, she finished second in the America East in assists per game (2.50), third in points per game (1.00), and tied for fifth in goals per game (.375).

A first-year forward who started all 17 games, Jenkins was also a pivotal contributor to Hartford’s potent offense in 2021, finishing second on the team with 15 points on six goals and three assists. Two of her six goals were game-winning tallies against Lafayette and Siena. 

Imani Jenkins collected several weekly awards from the America East during her debut campaign. A native of Middletown, Conn., she led the team with three weekly honors, including two Rookie of the Week awards (Sept. 7, Sept. 13) and one Offensive Player of the Week distinction (Sept. 13).

Doran took home All-Academic Team honors for the first time in her career. Earning four spots on the America East Commissioner’s Honor Roll during her career, she holds a 3.98 GPA as a physical therapy and psychology double-major. On the field, Doran anchored a defense that led America East in goals-against average (0.65) and was second in the league in shutouts (7). She started all 16 games in 2021 and ranked first among the team’s field players in minutes with 1,475.

Last but not least, Maia Perez, a goalkeeper, also earned America East All-Academic Team recognition for the first time in her career. A four-time America East Commissioner’s Honor Roll member, she was named to the US Coaches Scholar All-East Third Team in 2019. A psychology and criminal justice double-major, the Kentwood, Mich. native owns a 3.73 GPA. This is Perez’s third All-Conference award, as she was previously named to the America East All-Rookie Team (2017) and the All-Conference Second Team (2019). Completing the regular season with the league’s best goals-against average (0.65), she finished tied for second in both shutouts (7) and save percentage (.859) while ranking third in shutouts per game (0.438).

Hartford narrowly missed out on qualifying for the America East Playoffs for 2021. We cannot wait to see what such a young, talented squad can do next year. As for the award winners, they showcased the true meaning of being a student athlete; at the top of your game both on the field and in the classroom.