West Hartford, CT ? The University of Hartford men's soccer team fell to 4-6-4 overall and 2-4 in America East play, dropping a 2-1 decision to the New Hampshire Wildcats on Saturday night. New Hampshire improves its overall record to 10-4-2 overall and 4-2 in AE action.
New Hampshire put the first points on the board with a goal scored off a direct kick. The score came less than nine minutes into the game. Kyle Urso set up the free kick attempt which he sailed to the upper right corner of the net, squeezing it past a diving Matt Glaeser.
Hartford answered back six minutes later with a goal from Oswald Adu. He took a pass, dribbled ten yards up field and scored with a chip shot over keeper Brian Levey's head. Levey misplayed the ball, assuming it would sail over the top of the net.
Adu and Gary Muir each has scoring opportunities in the second half with both shots needing to be saved by Levey. Both teams finished with four shots in the first half. Levey recorded two saves with Glaeser none.
The Wildcats came out of the break with control of the ball and capitalized with a goal 4:15 into the second half. Chris Banks took a pass from Urso, blasting a shot from 10 yards out to the upper right corner of the net. The goal was the 11th of the season for Banks.
UNH attempted to put a cushion on their lead with back-to-back shots. The first came from Banks which Glaeser made a glove save but was unable to control. Ross Fishbain then put a foot on the ball but sent it just left of the net.
Hartford regrouped and took control of the ball, taking five shots in the remaining 30 minutes of the game. The first came from Kevin Hall, which Leavey made his third save of the game on.
“We knew New Hampshire's strength and they didn't have any secrets,” said head coach Dan Gaspar. “We didn't cope well in the first half, making adjustments during the break. We haven't been able to finish and capitalize in America East games, tonight allowing two soft goals from UNH.”
Hartford will take to the road for its next two games versus America East foes Boston University on Wednesday, October 18 at 7:00 p.m. and at UMBC on Saturday, October 21 at 1:00 p.m.
