BOX SCORE
West Hartford, CT – Patrick Boucher punched-in what proved to be the game-winning goal in the 72nd minute of play to boost the University of Hartford men's soccer team to an eventual 3-1 victory over the 16th ranked Boston University Terriers on Saturday night at Al-Marzook Field. The Hawks remain unbeaten in America East conference play at 2-0-1 (5-5-2 overall), while the Terriers' second-straight loss drops them to a 1-2-0 mark in the league and 7-4-2 overall.
Boucher led the Hartford attack with a game-high three points in the contest, including an assist on the opening goal and the eventual game-winner. With the win, the Hawks earned their first victory over the Terriers since 2003. Hartford was 0-3-2 in the last five meetings.
“It was a perfect day,” commented Hartford Head Coach Dan Gaspar. “Hawks beat Boston University. It was a fantastic win against a first class team. Our fans are amazing and our players won it for them.”
Hartford got on the scoreboard midway through the first half on a score by Bojan Delibasic and entered the halftime break with the 1-0 lead over Boston University. The Terriers knotted the score at one goal apiece at 71:36. The Hawks took advantage of a Boston University man-down situation, breaking the tie after the Terriers received a costly red card at 73:11.
Boucher notched the deciding goal – his second of the season – at 76:28 to give the Hawks the 2-1 advantage. With just over a minute remaining on the scoreboard, Hartford senior Carlos Villa sank his seventh goal, securing the Hawk win at 3-1.
The Hawks saw the scoreboard light up at 22:53 as Boucher connected with Delibasic deep in the Terriers' zone. Delibasic fired a wide shot from just outside the box, sending it towards the far left goal post out of reach of Boston University keeper Hrafn Davidsson. The goal was Delibasic's first of the 2009 season.
Hartford's defense kept the Terriers off the scoreboard until the 72nd minute as Aaron O'Neal netted his team-best eighth goal of the season. Nick Prunier was credited with the assist in Boston University's lone goal of the match.
Boucher knocked in the go-ahead goal at 76:28 to put the Hawks ahead at 2-1. The forward fired a shot from the left side of the box, chipping it over the Terriers' defensive line and keeper into the back of the net. The score was the sophomore's second this season.
Classmates Howard Wong and Villa hooked up for the Hawks' final goal of the contest. At 88:50, Wong drew Hrafn out of the box and spotted Villa streaking down field from the right. Wong sent a header over Hrafn, setting up Villa for the easy score on the unmanned goal from 15 yards out. The goal was Villa's seventh of the season, a team-best.
The Hawks posted 12 shots to the Terriers' 10, while Boston University held a 3-0 advantage over Hartford in corner kicks.
In goal, Nenad Cudic compiled four saves, boosting his overall record to 5-4-2. Davidsson made three saves and allowed three goals in the contest.
Boucher was named the Player of the Game for the Hawks, while O'Neal was deemed the title on the visitor's side.
The Hawks hit the road for a mid-week America East conference match-up with the New Hampshire Wildcats on Wednesday, October 14. The Hawks and Wildcats are scheduled to square-off at 3:00 p.m.
