Hartford takes on Coast Guard in a game that will decide the regular-season winner of the New England-Wide Collegiate Conference.

For Hartford, it’s been a bit of a slog to get here. The team lost an early forfeit game and had to get through a very tough Qinnipiac team last week. Hartford won that game 27-24, and a loss would have meant this week’s matchup with Coast Guard wouldn’t have had the same cache.

But they did, and it does.

“Before the season even started we all came together to set out a goal to win the conference,” said Hartford’s Michael Albanese. “Everyone took accountability and made sure they came into  every practice trying to better themselves. The teams been consistent as a whole and is really clicked these past few weeks.”

As for Coast Guard, they already played Quinnipiac, and failed to do what Hartford succeeded at doing - winning. CGA and Quinnipiac tied 19-19.

“Quinnipiac is a completely renovated team,” said CGA Coach Crist Holveck. “Saying CGA ‘just tied’ them doesn't do it justice when Hartford won by three. The current squad has seen a change in leadership and they are a newly dedicated team. I hope to see them compete at this level going forward.”

As for Hartford, Holveck said he felt Hartford was hard-done-by in last spring’s 7s national championships, and has the talent to win.

“They are well coached and I respect this club very much,” said the Coast Guard coach. “Hartford had administrative issues last fall, and that's the only reason you didn't see them at Nationals.”

CGA is probably the underdog for this Saturday.  I  graduated my top 8 players from last fall; my starting hooker, 3 loose forwards, 2 centers, 2 wingers and a talented scrumhalf (our first sub in 3 different positions).  When you get a talent drain in nearly every leadership position on the pitch you have to redesign your team and rethink your talent to make sure you're using every asset to it's fullest.  I think we are doing well with what we have.  We aren't the team we were last fall, but we are in a growth year and probably will be for the next 2 years.  At the end of this fall we'll drop an additional 16 players to graduation.  With the exception of my 3 freshman, that's the remainder of our starting A-side, so we will continue to be in a growth stage until about 2019 frankly.

Expect Hartford to bring a strong forward attack.

“Our forwards have been putting in some great effort every game,” said Albanese. “And our backs have been playing very well. The whole team is looking forward to this much anticipated Coast Guard game this Saturday on our home field.”

Holveck said his team may well be the underdog.

Having graduated eight starters from last year, CGA lost a lot of leadership.

“You have to redesign your team and rethink your talent to make sure you're using every asset to its fullest,” said Holveck. “I think we are doing well with what we have.  We aren't the team we were last fall, but we are in a growth year and probably will be for the next two years.”

Coast Guard will see 16 players graduate at the end of fall. 

Still, this remains a superb team, unbeaten, and with an excellent shot at winning the conference. It all gets decided in Hartford on Saturday.