BOX SCORE
WEST HARTFORD, Conn. – For the second time in as many games, sophomore midfielder James Stamopoulos found the game-winning goal, this time just three minutes into overtime, to lift the University of Hartford men's soccer team (5-7-0) defeated non-conference opponent Army (1-11-0) by a 2-1 final on Wednesday evening Al-Marzook Field. It was the Hawks' second-straight win and fifth consecutive victory on their home field.
Stamopoulos' heroics were again set up by senior midfielder Sam Groves, who spotted his teammate open on a breakaway and rifled a long pass down field. Stamopoulos received the ball just outside the box on the left side, and unloaded a wide shot, sending his team-best third goal of the season low towards the right post past Black Knights' Ryan Currens.
Boyle, a rookie defender, picked up the first goal of the game 25:05 into the match. Fellow classmate and line mate Liam Williams tallied the assist as he headed a centering pass from the left to a streaking Boyle who played a high ball from nine yards out off of his head towards the far right corner of the net and out of reach of Currens.
Army's Jeffrey Pickett delivered the equalizer 15 minutes later when he converted on a corner kick booted off the foot of Michael Kim. Pickett tracked down the high ball inside of the 18-yard box and launched a high shot, lobbing it over the head of the jumping Hawks' keeper Luke Citriniti.
Hartford, who outshot Army, 9-4, was led by Stamopoulos led who finished with four shots, three of which were marked on target. For Army, Michael Kim rifled a pair of shots to lead his squad. Currens stopped three of the five Hawks' shots on goals while Citriniti made two saves en route to his third victory of the season.
Hartford jumps back in to America East play on Saturday, Oct. 23 with a road date at UMBC. Kickoff between the Hawks and Retrievers is slated for 1:00 p.m. The Hawks currently sit third in the conference standings, just one point ahead of UMBC who is tied with Stony Brook for the fourth place slot.
