BOX SCORE
WILMINGTON, N.C. – The University of Hartford men's soccer team could not hold off the Campbell Camels on Sunday afternoon and fell, 3-2, in the third game of the Courtyard by Marriott Classic at the UNCW Soccer Stadium. Hartford drops to 1-4 this season while Campbell remains unbeaten at 3-0-1.
Hartford jumped out to a 1-0 lead when senior defender Jorge Rodriguez found the back of the net for the first time in his collegiate career in the 28th minute. Rodriguez put the finishing touches on Patrick Boucher's throw-in which was headed inside of the box by sophomore Anthony Santaga before it was sent home by the East Hartford, Conn. native.
Despite each team putting two shots on target, the Hawks continued to outplay their counterparts in the first half, outshooting the Camels 6-4 while holding a 3-0 advantage in corner kicks. Campbell, however, reversed the advantage following the intermission with three scores over the first 16 minutes of the second half.
The equalizer came in the 47th minute when J.J. Elder netted his first of two goals after connecting on a long serve from teammate Mitchell Cardenas. Just 10 minutes later, Cardenas put his mark on the scoreboard and put the Camels in front in the 57th minute when he used a cross from the left side off the boot of Justin Franz and beat Hartford keeper Luke Citriniti.
Elder struck again, this time at the 60:35 mark, on a rebound to double Cambell's lead and push the squad's lead to 3-1.
The Hawks got one score back in the 67th minute and cut the Camels' lead to one when Rohan Roye converted on a penalty kick for his second goal in as many matches. Hartford threatened to knot the score when midfielder James Stamopoulos unloaded a shot in the 79th minute but Campbell's netminder Ryan Amons turned away his attempt. With the final minute of regulation ticking down, rookie Aleko Petridis had a look at the game-tying mark but Amons again came up with the save.
Hartford held a slight 13-12 edge in shots and earned two more corner kicks than its opponent (4-2). Amons and Citriniti each recorded four saves.
Rookies Roye and Atobra Ampadu were named to the All-Tournament Team. The Hawks will conclude their four-game road stretch when they take on Nutmeg State rival Quinnipiac on Wednesday, September 14. The showdown between the two in-state schools is slated to begin at 4:00 p.m.
