WEST HARTFORD, Conn. – The University of Hartford men's soccer team vaulted two spots in the NSCAA/Continental Tire NCAA Division I Northeast Poll, earning its highest ranking of the season by moving from sixth to fourth as announced by the league on Tuesday afternoon.

The leap in the rankings comes after Hartford defeated America East foe Vermont last Saturday afternoon at Alumni Stadium by way of a 3-2 overtime decision. Ranked seventh in the region at the time of the match, the Catamounts did not lose any ground in the rankings with the loss as they maintained that No. 7 this week.

For the third-straight week, UMBC, which is ranked eighth in the nation, anchors down the first place spot in the poll after playing Albany to a draw last week while Georgetown also remained idle, checking in at second after going 1-1-0 in recent matches. Providence checks in at third in the polls while Syracuse, with an overall record of 8-4-1, is tied with Hartford for fourth. Entering the rankings for the first time this season is New Hampshire, which posted wins over Stony Brook and Brown to move to 8-3-0.

The Hawks improved their mark to 8-2-2 overall and 1-1-0 in the conference thanks to a Javoni Simms goal 2:52 into overtime last Saturday against Vermont. Knocking in a rebound on a Romario Jones shot, Simms, who has scored in his last three games, chalked up his team-fifth best goal.

Also notching goals for Hartford on Saturday was junior Damion Lowe and senior Anthony Santaga. Lowe's score in the 38th minute knotted up the game at 1-1 while Santaga's tally six minutes later provided the Hawks with a one goal lead at the half. The Catamounts struck back and evened the score at 2-2, scoring on a penalty kick in the 67th minute to eventually force overtime.

The win snapped Hartford's eight-game winless skid against Vermont.

Overtime has been no stranger to the Hawks this season as they have dealt with extra time in five matches. The squad has fared well in those contests, going unbeaten with a mark of 3-0-2.

Hartford starts off the eighth week of the season at New Hampshire on Wednesday night (7 p.m.) with hopes of handing the Wildcats their first league loss of the year while snapping a four-game winless streak in Durham. Following the mid-week tilt, the Hawks return home on Saturday to play host to the Binghamton Bearcats at 7 p.m.

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