MIDDLETOWN, Conn. – Opening up its 2023 schedule, the New Haven women's cross country team posted a second place finish among five teams at the Wesleyan Cardinal Invitational.

Leading the way for the Blue and Gold was sophomore Elsie Kaas (Elverson, Pa./Bishop Shanahan) who improved her time from the same course a year ago by 1:35, finishing seventh overall among a field of 33 runners. Kaas finished the 5k course in a time of 20:46.1 with a mile average of 6:41.

Making her debut for the Chargers, freshman Bernadette Karpel (New Haven, Conn./Hillhouse) was second overall for New Haven, finishing in 13th place overall with a time of 24:07.2 Rounding out the top-three was sophomore Jennifer Torres who closed out the race two spots behind Karpel with a time of 25:09.8.

Rounding out New Haven's scoring was sophomore Gabriella Abruzzo (North Massapequa, N.Y./Massapequa) and freshman Audri Pettirossi () who finished in 20th and 23rd position overall. Abruzzo closed out the meet in a time of 27:41.6, while Pettriossi's first collegiate race was completed in a time of 31:13.7.

The Chargers will return to action this coming weekend when they travel to North Dartmouth, Mass. to compete in the UMass Dartmouth Invitational on Saturday, September 16. The event will be held at the Coach Robert Dowd Cross Country Course.