BOX SCORE
NEW BRITAIN, Conn. – Although the University of Harford and Central Connecticut State University men's soccer teams battled for 90 minutes through sheets of rain and a drenched field at Willow Brook Park, it was the Blue Devils that came out on top with a 1-0 defeat of the Hawks on Tuesday evening. Hartford, which suffered its second-straight loss, drops to 1-2 while Central Connecticut scores its first win of the season and moves to 1-2.
Following 45 minutes of scoreless soccer, the Blue Devils wasted little time coming out of the halftime break as they got on the scoreboard just 23 seconds into the second period. Thomas Obasi broke out down the right sideline and booted a low pass across the box to teammate Reece Wilson who beat Hawks' keeper Luke Citriniti with a low shot towards the right post. The score was the first for the Blue Devils this season.
The Hawks had a chance to knot up the score with just over 60 seconds remaining in regulation. James Stamopoulos, a junior, unloaded a shot but Blue Devils' keeper Anthony Occhialini smothered Hartford's attempt right in front of the goal to preserve the shutout and secure the win.
Hartford took 12 shots in the contest while the Blue Devils put up 16 attempts. Central Connecticut also held a slight edge in corker kicks at 5-4.
A pair of newcomers saw the Hawks' best opportunities to light up the scoreboard in the first half. In the 28th minute, Necas Collins unloaded a shot from just outside of the six yard box, however his attempt lost momentum on the rain soaked field and dribbled wide left of the target.
Less than one minute later, Anthony Santaga, a sophomore, unloaded his fifth shot in a Hartford uniform from 15-yards out. Occhialini managed to get a hand on the high attempt and punched out what could have potentially been the first score of the match.
Both Citriniti and Occhialini made four saves in the match.
Hartford continues its non-conference slate with the Courtyard-Marriott Classic held on the campus of North Carolina-Wilmington. The Hawks kick off the tournament against the host Seahawks on Friday, September 9 (7:30 p.m.) before facing the Campbell Camels on Sunday, September 11 (1:00 p.m.)
