The University of Hartford men’s soccer team suffered a 3-2, double overtime loss to the Army Black Knights at Clinton Field on Wednesday evening. After building a 2-0 lead before the halftime break, the Hawks conceded two unanswered goals in the second period and in extra time, allowed Army to net the game-winner in the 102nd minute.

Hartford falls to 3-7-2 on the season while Army improves to 5-6-0 in 2011.

Sophomore transfer David Bernhardsson got the scoring going for the Hawks when he converted on his second shot attempt of the match for his second marker on the season in the 23rd minute. Bernhardsson received a pass from fellow classmate Anthony Santaga and after gathering from 15-yards out, he rifled a shot at the goal eluding Army keeper John Marinelli.

Less than two minutes later, Hartford struck again and pushed its lead to 2-0 on a shot off the boot of freshman Connor Yeaney. A defender, Yeaney collected the ball just outside of the 18-yard box and launched a high shot through traffic to the left corner of the cage, beating Marinelli with his first goal as a collegian in the 25th minute.

Army, which saw seven first half shots, forcing Hawks’ keeper Luke Citriniti into three saves, turned up the heat in the second period with back-to-back goals to even the match at 2-2.

Josh Koeppe sparked the comeback and got the Black Knights’ first notch on the scoreboard just 147 seconds into the second stanza when he converted on a cross by Tommy Jaeger from 22-yards out and hit the back of the net in the 48th minute.

The Hawks and Black Knights would play through 29 scoreless minutes before Tanner Robertson capitalized on a miscue by the Hartford defense to continue the rally and tie up the score at two goals apiece. In the 77th minute, Robertson intercepted a Hawks’ clear attempt deep inside of the visiting team’s zone and punched home the equalizer from 15-yards out, hitting the lower right side of the net.

Hartford saw a chance to pull ahead of Army in the 79th minute on a corner kick play. After rookie Atobra Ampadu took the honors on the kick, Santaga came through in the ensuing scramble and headed a high shot on target. His attempt, however, was just inches too high as it ricochet off of the crossbar.

After seeing just one shot a piece in the first overtime period with the Hawks’ lone attempt coming off the foot of James Stamopoulos, it was Army who found the back of the net 69 seconds into the final period. TJ Rowe provided the pass that allowed Army to complete the comeback when he connected with Elliott McGilbra. Alone inside of the 18-yard box, McGilbra received Rowe’s pass from the back and delivered the game-winner in the 102nd minute of action.

Hartford was outshot by Army, 17-8, in the match while the both teams attempted four corner kicks in the contest. Citriniti recorded five saves while his counterpart, Marinelli, was not credited with any saves.

The Hawks return to America East Conference play when they hit the road for Albany on Saturday, October 8. First kick between the Hawks and Great Danes, which was originally slated for 4:00 p.m., has been moved to 3:30 p.m.

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