WEST HARTFORD, Conn. – After posting a 2-0-1 record to start the season, the University of Hartford men's soccer team is receiving votes in the National Soccer Coaches Association of America (NSCAA) Continental Tire NCAA Division I poll, which was released on Tuesday afternoon. Earning three votes, the Hawks will look to climb up the rankings this weekend when they head to the Akron Tournament to face College of Charleston on Friday afternoon (4:30 p.m.) and Akron on Sunday (2 p.m.).

The Hawks are one of three teams from the America East Conference represented in the Week 2 edition of the national rankings. Leading the pack is UMBC, which checks in at No. 14 with an overall record of 3-0-1. Vermont joins Hartford in receiving votes in the poll as it accumulated 33 points after going 4-0-0 to start the season.

Beginning the season with a 1-1 double overtime draw at Holy Cross, Hartford improved its mark to 2-0-1 by scoring identical 1-0 home wins over Northeastern and Villanova. It marks the second time in as many seasons that the Hawks open up the season by going unbeaten through their first three matches as they also went 2-0-1 to start the 2013 campaign.

Boasting a versatile offense that has seen three different goal-scorers in senior Omar Tall, rookie Andre Morrison and junior Javoni Simms, the Hawks' defense has also been a major factor in their early success. Just one goal has been conceded by the back line, which currently ranks 14th in the nation in save percentage (.917) and 15th nationally with a 0.31 goals-against average.

Between the pipes, sophomore David MacKinnon, who has improved his career shutout total to 12 with his team's most recent wins, is listed at 17th in the NCAA Division I statistics in both goals-against average (0.31) and save percentage (.917).

Before the end of last season, Hartford was recognized in the NSCAA/Continental Tire NCAA Division I poll when it received votes on Nov. 12 after defeating Binghamton in the opening round of the America East Championships and entering the semifinals with a 13-3-3 overall record. The Hawks received one vote in the poll and were ranked fourth in the Northeast Regional Poll at the time. 

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