The roster for the Hartford Athletic’s USL W League team includes two from West Hartford.

By Ronni Newton

The Hartford Athletic’s W League team announced the launch of its inaugural season earlier this year, and when the team takes the field on Tuesday, May 19, 2026, at 7 p.m. it will include two West Hartford residents.

“This is a very exciting moment for both Hartford Athletic and women’s soccer in Connecticut, as this will be the first professional women’s soccer team competing in the state, Rashad Hyacenth, EVP of business development for the Hartford Athletic and the W League general manager told We-Ha.com. “We are incredibly proud of the group we’ve assembled and the environment we are building around the team.”

The Hartford Athletic officially announced the W League team in March – appropriately in celebration of Women’s History Month – noting it was not just an expansion but also a “statement of values” for the organization.

“The announcement marks a defining moment for the organization and reinforces Hartford Athletic’s long-standing commitment to equity, opportunity, and the growth of women’s sports in Connecticut,” the Hartford Athletic said.

Alex Ackerman, a junior at Hall High School and All-Conference team member, announced in February that she had signed to play with the Hartford Athletic’s new USL W team. In addition to being a standout midfielder at Hall, Ackerman has also been a member of the Hartford Athletic Youth Academy’s U17 Boys Team and the FSA and Oakwood Soccer club teams.

Alex Ackerman. Courtesy image

Also joining the Hartford Athletic’s W team for its inaugural season is Lydia Poulin of West Hartford. A former student and multi-sport athlete at Hall High School and Miss Porter’s School in Farmington, Poulin, a defender, is now a junior at Boston College.

W League play takes place during a summer season, and provides elite female players – many of whom are high school and college students – a pathway to reach the professional level. The league debuted in 2022, and now includes more than 90 teams across the United States.

The league bridges the gap between youth, collegiate, and professional soccer, featuring top amateur talent competing in a high-level, regionally based structure during the summer months. “The W League emphasizes player development, competitive integrity, and community engagement across its member clubs,” the Hartford Athletic announcement said. It provides a platform for athletes to continue play without impacting NCAA eligibility.

“This schedule gives us a great mix of competitive challenges and regional rivalries,” said Hartford Athletic W League Head Coach Danny Barrera in a statement. “Our focus is on player development and building a culture of excellence from the start. The women who wear this crest are going to represent Hartford with pride, and I can’t wait to get on the field.”

Hartford Athletic has joined the W League’s Northeast Division which includes Vermont Green, AC Connecticut, Hudson Valley Crusaders, and New England Mutiny. They will play a 10-match schedule, with five home and five away contests against regional rivals, “highlighting the growing strength of women’s soccer across the Northeast,” the organization said.

The W League home opener is May 19, at 7 p.m. at Trinity Health Stadium in Hartford. The Hartford Athletic will host Vermont Green.

Additional home games are:

• May 27, vs. AC Connecticut at 7:30 p.m.
• May 29, vs. Hudson Valley Cruisers at 7:30 p.m.
• June 15, vs. New England Mutiny at 7 p.m.
• June 28, vs. AC Connecticut at 3 p.m.

For the complete schedule of home and away games, and information about buying tickets, click here.

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