DURHAM, NH – Hartwick’s men’s soccer team fell a goal shy of at least a share of the tournament title on Sunday at the University of New Hampshire 22^nd Annual Nike Fall Classic in Durham, NH. The Hawks lost a 1-0 decision to the host institution to finish the tournament with a 1-1 mark. ’Wick falls to 2-4-2 overall with the setback.
         “It’s disappointing not to come away with a win today,” said John Scott. “We played very well in the first half, but we let our opponent back in the match to start the second half and we paid the price.”
            The Wildcats scored the game- and tournament-winning goal 12:43 into the second session. Senior Brad Hilton played a free kick into the Hartwick 18-yard box and it was redirected in off the foot of a Hawk defender for an own goal.
            The Hawks had scoring chances in the opening half of play. Twelve minutes into the match, junior midfielder Will Broomfield (Brighton, England/Cloud Community College) stormed up the middle of the field, played a 1-2 pass with a teammate, and unleashed a rocket that struck the UNH crossbar and bounced straight down and out. There was some controversy over whether or not the ball crossed the goal line, but the referees allowed play to continue and the game remained level.
            Later in the half, junior forward Cleyon Brown (Kingston, Jamaica/Berkshire School) received a ball over the top of the Wildcat defense from back Pat Thompson (Candor, NY/Candor). He broke in alone with UNH keeper Travis Worra and tried to push the ball past him, but Worra made the stop before Brown could get his shot away.
            The Hawks held a 7-4 edge in shots in the first 45 minutes of play. ’Wick also earned all three of the half’s corners.
            Hartwick had two good opportunities to tie the score after the Wildcats took the lead. Junior Greg Mathers (Macclesfield, England/Binghamton Univ.) served a cross into the box from the sideline that looked destined for the far corner. The ball, however, skimmed the top of the crossbar and out for a goal kick.
            With less than five minutes to go in the game, Broomfield had a chance to bring the game level after some combination play by the Hawks. He ended up in close on the right side of the UNH goal, but his left-footed shot was pushed over the bar on a fingertip save from Worra.
            Hartwick generated one more late corner with less than a minute to go. The ball made its way to Nathaniel Horton (Stowe, VT/Stowe HS) but his shot was blocked with roughly 10 seconds remaining on the clock.
            The Hawks out-shot their hosts, 11-7, in the game. They also won six corners to UNH’s two over 90 minutes.
            Worra, who ended the game with three saves, was named the tournament’s Most Valuable Player. Hartwick goalkeeper Tom Buckner (Oxford, England/Henley College) stopped three UNH shots.
            The Hawk trio of Broomfield, junior Simon Greatwich (Lewes, England/Lewes Priory), and sophomore Tim Crawford (Webster, NY/Webster Thomas HS) earned all-tournament honors following the game’s conclusion.

            Hartwick opens its 2011 Mid-American Conference schedule next Friday, September 30 at home against Florida Atlantic. Game time is 7 p.m.
             

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