WEST HARTFORD, CT - The University of Hartford women's soccer team suffered a tough 1-0 loss to Boston University in double overtime on Sunday afternoon at Alumni Stadium.
The game seemed destined to be a draw until BU (13-5-1 overall, 8-0-0 America East) scored with just 12 seconds remaining in the final overtime period. The Terriers scored off a corner kick, with Casey Brown connecting on the game-winner.
Despite the loss, Hartford (8-6-4 overall, 4-3-1 America East) earned a home game for the upcoming America East Championship. The Hawks, who finished fourth in the regular season standings, will host fifth-seeded Maine on Thursday, October 30 at 6 p.m. The two teams played to a scoreless tie earlier this season in Orono, ME.
Hartford and Boston University had the two stingiest defenses in the conference and it showed throughout the contest. Neither team could find the back of the net in 90 minutes of regulation, though each side had one shot that hit off a post or crossbar. Each team also had apparent goals called back during the contest due to offside calls.
The Terriers, who had already wrapped up the regular season title and the top seed in the America East Championship, fought down to the wire. BU earned all five of its corner kick attempts in overtime, and the final one proved to be the difference. It came after a pair of thrilling saves by Hartford goalkeeper Lauren Brodeur, the second of which she tipped over the goal with 30 seconds to play. The Terriers raced to get the final corner kick off, and Marisha Schumacher-Hodge played a ball into the box that was finished by Brown.
Brodeur finished with three saves against 11 shots. BU's Annie Tooley got the starting nod and recorded her first career shutout behind three saves.
Prior to the contest, Hartford's five seniors-Kacey Busque, Lauren Aldred, Chiara Caen, Kellie Leyland and Brittany Black-were recognized in a special senior day ceremony. The group will play at least one more game at Alumni Stadium when the Hawks begin postseason play. Maine (6-5-6 overall, 3-3-2 America East) suffered a 5-0 defeat at Stony Brook on Sunday to wrap up the regular season.
