BOSTON, Mass. – Junior Anthony Santaga netted his fifth goal of the season and rookie Viltsu Tuumi recorded a career-high nine saves in net to help the University of Hartford men's soccer team earn a 1-1 draw in its America East opener at Boston University on Saturday night. After withstanding their first 110 minute match of the year, the Hawks move to 6-4-1 on the season and 0-0-1 in conference play.

BU shifts to 2-5-3 overall with a 0-0-1 record in the America East.

Hartford broke through in the 38th minute of action when Santaga tapped in a ball off a free kick from the middle of the field. Sophomore Mathias Axelsson notched his first point of the season when he drove the ball deep into the Terriers' zone on the free kick, finding Santaga for the easy tally.

Just 57 seconds after the Hawks' goal, the Hawks came close to adding a second score when freshman Javoni Simms' shot was saved by BU goalkeeper Nick Thomson. Not long after, Santaga headed a ball that was just wide of the net and after Tuumi notched his third save of the evening approaching the one minute mark, Hartford took a 1-0 lead into halftime.

Neither team seriously threatened early in the second half until the Michael Bustamante got one past the Hawks' zone in the 60th minute. His second goal of the year was assisted by Dominique Badji and was fired from 10 yards away from the right side.

Following BU's equalizer, the Hawks had three more shots in regulation with the final attempt of the half coming in the 79th minute. During that stretch, the Terriers forced the Hawks to stay on their toes defensively, but could not find the back of the net to force the visiting squad into overtime for the third time this season. Simon Turesson, Connor Yeaney and Damion Lowe stepped up on the defensive side of the pitch to help preserve the tie.
 
Hartford, which entered the extra session undefeated in overtime with a pair of victories, did not record a shot attempt in the first overtime and withstood one from the Terriers. In the 99th minute of that stanza, Bustamante looked to provide the heroics and steal the victory but the Hawks' defense stood strong and blocked his attempt.

In the second overtime, Hartford's backline proved to be clutch again. BU, which held a 2-1 shot advantage during the final period, grabbed momentum early with had back-to-back looks in the 102nd minute. Tuumi stopped a point blank shot by Parker Powell and four seconds later, Hartford's defense came back with another stop after deflecting Fannar Arnasson's attempt off the rebound.

 BU held a 7-1 advantage in corner kicks.

The Hawks continue America East play on the road by traveling to Burlington, Vt. for a match with the Vermont Catamounts on Sat., Oct. 6. The two teams will kick-off from Virtue Field at 2:00 p.m.