WEST HARTFORD, Conn. – Sophomore forward Javoni Simms scored in the 16th minute of the Hawks' America East Conference opener Saturday night at Al-Marzook Field, but the visiting UMBC Retrievers came back to score the final two markers of the match to pull out a 2-1 victory.

Simms notched his team-leading fourth goal of the 2013 campaign just more than 15 minutes into the contest to stake the Hawks to an early 1-0 lead. Senior Anthony Santaga started the play just to the right of the box when he slipped past a UMBC defender and sent a cross in front of the net. Fellow senior David Bernhardsson tipped the cross to Simms, who put the ball to the back of the net off his left foot. The assists put Santaga and Bernhardsson at three helpers apiece for the season.

UMBC would strike back later in the first half as Pete Caringi found the bottom left corner of the net off a deflected cross by Malcolm Harris in the 30th minute.

Coming out of the break tied, 1-1, UMBC took the lead for good just more than three minutes into the second frame. Kadeem Dacres finished a free kick from Mamadou Kansaye that bounced around in the box in the 48th minute. The Dacres goal proved to be the deciding tally.

Hartford had opportunities to tie the match later in the half, perhaps none better than a chance for Simms in the 59th minute. Junior Rohan Roye played a ball from midfield to the top of the box, which was headed by Santaga. Simms collected the header with his left foot and with a quick move put a shot on net from ten yards out. The attempt forced UMBC keeper Phil Saunders to dive left for the save.

Hartford's keeper, freshman David MacKinnon finished with three stops on the night, including one just before the break to keep the score knotted at one going into the half.

Hartford (7-2-2, 0-1-0 America East) has a week off before resuming conference play against the University of Vermont. The Hawks welcome in the Catamounts for a Saturday afternoon game on October 12. Game time is set for 2 p.m. on Al-Marzook Field at Alumni Stadium in West Hartford.  

 

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