RESULT: Hartford 1, Iona 0 (ot)
RECORDS: Hartford (2-3-2), Iona (3-3-1)
LOCATION: Al-Marzook Field at Alumni Stadium (West Hartford, Conn.)

THE LEAD: Playing at home for the first time since a season-opening draw on August 28, senior Javoni Simms gave the University of Hartford men's soccer team a proper homecoming on Saturday evening against Iona. In front of an impressive student section and a total crowd of 843 at Al-Marzook Field at Alumni Stadium, the striker found the back of the net in the 98th minute and lifted the Hawks to the thrilling overtime victory against the Gaels. The win snapped a three-game skid for Hartford. Junior Brian Richards was credited with the assist on the game-winner while classmate David MacKinnonrecorded a three-save night in net for his 18th career shutout. 

HOW IT HAPPENED:

• Holding a 5-4 edge in first-half shots, Hartford produced the two best scoring opportunities of that opening stanza. In the 17th minute, Simms took a centering pass from classmate Anthony LoBello and sent his shot just high of the crossbar. Inside of two minutes before intermission, the Hawks threatened again, with junior Jeff Tryon getting a quality look at the net. From just outside of the six-yard box, though, his shot was smothered by Iona keeper Julian Petrello before it had a chance to reach the target.
• MacKinnon came up with key stops on three second-half scoring opportunities from Iona. On a counter attack, the keeper was tested for the first time all night just minutes after halftime. At the 47:05 mark, he easily made the save on Jose Angeles' shot from point-blank range.
• Later in the match, MacKinnon kept the shutout going with less than 20 minutes remaining in regulation. Daniel Ocana Garcia pushed a hard strike on net from 30-yards away, but the leaping Hawks' keeper was able to come away with the save. Iona's Daniel Huerta also had his open look from inside of the 18-yard box denied by MacKinnon with 7:30 remaining.
• The Hawks generated several more opportunities in the second half, with Simms, senior Jhamie Hydeand LoBello each coming up with near misses. In the 47th minute, Simms snagged the ball on an Iona clear attempt, dribbled into the 18-yard box, and found himself in a one-on-one with Petrello. His shot just missed the near side, keeping the game scoreless.
• In the 81st minute, Hyde received a pass at the top of the box and had room to work with, but his shot went just wide of the near post. With less than five minutes remaining in regulation, LoBello was unable to cash in on the potential go-ahead tally. After some fancy footwork from Simms inside of the box led to a pass, LoBello's blast was redirected over the crossbar by a jumping Petrello as the game remained scoreless.
• After the two teams traded looks early in overtime, with Petrello coming up with a save on Simms' fourth shot of the night in the 94th minute, the Hawks broke through the Gaels' defense and ended the match. Richards' initial attempt from inside of the box was deflected by an Iona defender, and Simms finished off the play from outside of the six-yard box with a low strike to the far post.

INSIDE THE NUMBERS:

• All three of MacKinnon's game-best three saves were made in the second half
• Petrello finished with a pair of stops for Iona, with the second coming early in the overtime period
• Pacing the offense was Simms, who recorded five total shots and two on goal, including the game-winner
• Hartford edged Iona in shots, 12-11, and held the advantage in corner kicks at 3-1
• Both teams fired three shots on goal

NEWS & NOTES:

• Netting his team-leading fourth goal in overtime against Iona, Simms improves his career total to 24, which leads all current Hawks.
• With Saturday's win over Iona, Hartford extends its unbeaten streak at Al-Marzook Field at Alumni Stadium to 14 games. Since the Hawks' last loss, which came on Oct. 5, 2013 to UMBC, they are 12-0-2 in West Hartford.
• Hartford's 1-0 win against Iona ended a three-game skid, which featured setbacks at VCU (2-0), No. 22 Old Dominion (3-2 2ot) and UMass (2-1).
• The Hawks have faced overtime four times this season, and are 1-1-2 in those contests.
• Between the posts, Hartford keeper David MacKinnon recorded three saves for his second shutout of the season.
• With 18 clean sheets on his career, MacKinnon is three away from tying Chris Doyle (1998-2001) for the program record; in addition, two more wins will put the junior into the Hawks' top-five in career wins, as he has 22 on his career.

UP NEXT:
Hartford lands at neighboring rival Central Connecticut for its next match on Wednesday, Sept. 23. Kickoff from New Britain is scheduled for 7 p.m. The Hawks have taken four of the last five against the Blue Devils, including  3-1 decision at Al-Marzook Field last season.

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