NEWTON, Mass. – The University of Hartford men's soccer team fought hard, but fell to the No. 12 Boston College Eagles in its season opener by a 3-2 final on Wednesday afternoon at the Newton Campus Soccer Field. The Hawks fall to 0-1 overall after dropping their first opening game since the 2007 season while the Eagles improve to 1-0 in the young 2010 season.

All of the goals in the contest came in the first half, with Hartford's Steven Aiston putting up the first score of the 2010 season in the ninth minute. The rookie netted his first collegiate goal at the 8:40 mark, beating Boston College keeper Justin Lethy off his right foot from just seven yards out.

Hartford's lead was short-lived, however, as the Eagles answered with a score less than one minute later. Amit Aburmad successfully connected on Boston College's first shot attempt of the season, finding the back of the net from 15-yards out at the 9:33 mark.

With the score tangled at one goal apiece, Charlie Rugg placed a perfect shot from the 15-yard mark just out of reach of Hawks goalkeeper Matt McElroy after receiving a pass from Aburmad in the 16th minute of action. The Hawks responded, tying the score at 2-2 at 30:25 when Patrick Boucher found the back of the net, making contact on a cross from classmate Jorge Rodriguez. Boucher's goal, his first of the season, came from 12-yards out and sailed towards the far right side of the net.

The Eagles put what proved to be the winning notch on the scoreboard in the 41st minute. Ryan Dunn found teammate Kyle Bekker open on a long cross from the left side of the box. Bekker, 14-yards out from the goal, sunk a low shot past McElroy for the go-ahead and game-winning goal.

Hartford saw a pair of chances at the equalizer in the final four minutes. Freshman Dan Sangster fired a head ball at the target at 85:34 however his attempt was high. Just one minute later, the rookie again unloaded a shot at 86:41 but sent the ball wide of the goal.

Boston College fired 11 shots in the contest while Hartford managed eight shots of its own. The Hawks held a slight 4-3 advantage in corner kicks over the Eagles. Both keepers - Hartford's McElroy and Boston College's Luthy - recorded one save in the match.

"We obviously played a quality team, as Boston College was ranked 12th in the nation," commented head coach Dan Gaspar. "We started the game with four freshmen, and closed out the match with six newcomers on the field who were exposed to Division I soccer for the first time. Both of our goals scored were brilliant. There were a few mental timeouts in critical times of the game, and against a quality team, we unfortunately were penalized. We are investing in the future and are a team under construction, and we're optimistic about the future of the Hawks."

The Hawks head to West Hartford on Saturday, September 4 for their home opener – the first of three-straight games that will be played at Alumni Stadium – a non-conference clash with the Boston University Terriers. The first kick is slated for 7:00 p.m. The Hawks' home stand concludes with a pair of matches with in-state rivals Quinnipiac (September 7) and Central Connecticut State (September 11).