BOX SCORE
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DURHAM, N.H. – In the 76th minute, sophomore transfer David Bernhardsson found the back of the net to help the University of Hartford men's soccer draw even with the New Hampshire Wildcats on Tuesday afternoon with a 1-1 tie at Bremner Field. The Hawks, who have notched three-straight double overtime matches including back-to-back stalemates in America East Conference after tying Albany last Saturday, shift to 0-1-2 in league play with an overall record of 3-7-4.
Luke Citriniti notched a career day between the posts for the Hawks finishing seven saves on 16 total shots faced.
Both Hartford and New Hampshire (5-6-1, 1-1-1 AE) came out of the opening kick firing with three-straight Wildcats' shots followed by three Hawks' shots. Back-to-back attempts by Robert Palumbo launched from deep inside of the Hawks' zone forced Citriniti into action early but he recorded both saves in the sixth and seventh minute to prevent the early Wildcats' score.
The Wildcats saw the scoreboard light up first in the match when David Schlatter converted on a header in the 15th minute of action. His third goal of 2011 was ignited by a corner kick off the boot of Jeffrey Turner which was directed towards the left post out of reach of Hawks' keeper Citriniti.
Hartford's defense clamped down after conceding the match's first goal as it allowed its opponents just three more shots to close out the opening half. Wildcats Palumbo and Ugochukwu Uche tested Citriniti in the 33rd and 44th minute but the Hawks' keeper was in position to make both saves.
The Hawks came out strong in the second half, scoring in the 76th minute when David Bernhardsson scored on an assist by rookie Necas Collins to even the score at 1-1. Bernhardsson notched the tally, his third on the season, when he sent Collins' touch pass into the left side of the net at the 75:39 mark.
Hartford was able to keep the Wildcats' offense at bay, allowing just two shots in the first overtime frame, both of which were off the target. The Hawks' lone attempt of that period came just 16 seconds before the break when Bernhardsson rifled a shot however its trajectory towards the goal was deflected by a New Hampshire defender.
In the final period, Hartford had two opportunities to put the match away. Atobra Ampadu's attempt at 102:00 missed wide left of the net and sophomore Anthony Santaga's shot in the 108th minute landed into the hands of New Hampshire's Travis Worra.
New Hampshire finished the match ahead in the shots column by a 16-14 margin however Hartford held the 10-5 advantage in corner kicks. Bernhardsson led the Hawks' attack with four shots while senior defender Patrick Boucher finished with three. Worra rejected six shots in goal for the Wildcats.
The Hawks are back in action when they host the Vermont Catamounts on Saturday, October 15 for a 7:00 p.m. start time at Alumni Stadium.
