Seniors Guarin and Villa Lead Hartford to 2-1 Win Over Binghamton

West Hartford, CT – The University of Hartford men's soccer team battled back from an early 1-0 deficit and secured a 2-1 victory over the visiting Binghamton Bearcats on Wednesday evening at Al-Marzook Field. Hartford seniors Ivan Guarin and Carlos Villa netted two unanswered goals to tie the game and eventually secure the Hawks' third win in the America East.

The Hawks, who were coming off a week-long layover, improve to 6-6-2 overall with a 3-1-0 mark in the America East. With the loss, the Bearcats fall to 7-6-1 overall and 2-2-0 in league play.

The Bearcats got off to a quick start, penetrating the Hartford defense early and finding the back of the net in the 11th minute. Freshman Jake Keegan – the reigning America East Rookie of the Week – snuck behind the defense on a break-away from the left, pulling Hartford keeper Nenad Cudic out of the net. Keegan unloaded a shot at 10:55 and found the back right corner of the goal, tallying his team-best fourth goal.

Guarin capitalized on a failed Binghamton clear attempt to knot the game at one goal apiece heading into the halftime break. The senior tracked down the loose ball in the box and successfully knocked it past Binghamton keeper Jason Stenta in the 40th minute. The score was Guarin's third of the season.

Villa connected on a feed from rookie James Stamopoulos for the second time this season at 78:07 to put the winning notch on the scoreboard. Stamopoulos served up a perfect ball from the left corner that Villa finished with a low shot just right of the Binghamton keeper.

The Hawks outshot Binghamton by a margin of 18-6, forcing Stenta to make five saves in the game. Cudic faced three shots on goal with two saves, giving him a total of 45 on the season. Hartford also held a 5-2 advantage in corner kicks.

“Our players showed great character tonight,” commented Head Coach Dan Gaspar. “They played for their teammates, staff and school. Hartford players had a direct impact on the outcome because of their quality decisions, attitude, work rate and will to win second balls. I am proud of them.”

Hartford will next play on Wednesday, October 28 when it hosts the UMBC Retrievers. Prior to the game, the Hawks will honor the eight members of their senior class. Hartford and UMBC are scheduled to kick-off at 7:00 p.m. on Al-Marzook Field at Alumni Stadium.

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