Amherst, MA ? The University of Hartford men's soccer team posted a 1-0 overtime victory over host-team Massachusetts in the opening game of the UMass Classic on Friday afternoon. Junior forward Carlos Villa netted the game-winning goal during the second overtime period, extending the Hawks' winning streak to three. Hartford improves to 4-2-2 overall with the victory, while Massachusetts falls to 2-4-1 on the season.
Hartford's goal came from just eight yards out on the left post as Villa connected on a pass from Sam Groves, sending the ball past Massachusetts goalkeeper Zack Simmons in the 100th minute of action. The goal was Villa's ninth on the season and Groves' third assist.
Hartford outshot Massachusetts in the first half, taking six shots to the Minutemen's three. The Minutemen controlled the pace offensively in the second half however outshooting the Hawks by a margin of nine to four. Hartford saw just one opportunity to put a notch on the scoreboard midway through the first overtime period before netting the game-winning goal early in the second overtime. Junior goalkeeper Nenad Cudic recorded four saves in the Hartford victory, all of which came in the second half of play. He now has 42 on the season.
“We managed to get a great win over a team went to the Final Four last year,” commented Hartford head coach Dan Gaspar. “It was an historic moment for our program. We need to calm down, relax, and start preparing for our game on Sunday.”
Hartford will continue play in the UMass Classic on Sunday, when they face the Rams of Rhode Island for the 23rd meeting between the two teams. The Hawks are 11-9-2 all-time against the Rams, which includes a 1-0 Hartford victory last season. Game time is slated for 12:00 p.m.
