Hawks fall on the road at UNH
DURHAM, N.H. – The University of Hartford men's soccer team fell on the road in league play on Wednesday evening, dropping a 2-0 decision to the New Hampshire Wildcats. The Hawks (8-3-2) dip to 1-2-0 in America East contests while New Hampshire (9-3-0) remains undefeated in the conference at 3-0.
The Hawks look to bounce back on Saturday evening as they return home to play host to the Binghamton Bearcats. Kickoff is scheduled for 7 p.m.
Freshman David MacKinnon made saves on all four first half shots he faced, but Ugochukwu Uche got past the Hawks' defense just four and a half minutes out of the halftime break to provide New Hampshire with the one goal advantage. Later in the half, David Schlatter doubled the home team's lead to 2-0 in the 79th minute to seal the win.
Andrew Chaput's initial header went off the crossbar for New Hampshire to initiate the first offense of the match in the 50th minute, but Ucho was there to send home the rebound for what proved to be the eventual game-winning tally.
Taking 12 total shots, including eight in the final period, Hartford was unable to make the most of its opportunities. After senior Anthony Santaga, who led the charge with three shots, came just wide of knocking-in a header off a corner kick in the final minute of the first, the Hawks continued to apply offensive pressure in the second, but came up empty-handed.
Down 1-0 following Uche's third Wildcats' score in as many contests, the Hawks were awarded three-consecutive corner kicks within a 60 second span, but were unable to manufacture the equalizer out of the series. The second of the three attempts forced New Hampshire keeper Travis Worra into action for one of his eight saves as junior Damion Lowe got a head on a serve into the box from senior David Bernhardsson.
Prior to the Wildcats' insurance goal, Santaga had two more shots at knotting up the match at one goal apiece. In the 73rd minute, the forward saw his header get turned away by Worra. Forty seconds later, the junior took a good rip at the target after New Hampshire had trouble clearing the ball from its zone, but his shot just cleared the crossbar.
Down the stretch, three more shots were produced by the Hawks, one of which was saved by Worra. Sophomore Blake Jones, rookie Romario Jones and sophomore Javoni Simms each registered a pair of shots in the contest.
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