WEST HARTFORD, Conn.  – Senior defender Connor Yeaney scored twice, including the game-winner in overtime, to propel the University of Hartford men's soccer team to its second-straight America East Championship title game appearance on Wednesday night with a 2-1 win over Binghamton at Al-Marzook Field at Alumni Stadium. The second seed in the tournament, the Hawks will face top-seeded UMBC in Baltimore on Saturday at 7 p.m. in a match that sends the winner to the NCAA Tournament with an automatic bid.

Competing for an America East championship for the third time in four seasons, the Hawks are on a hot streak as they have rattled off a season-best six-straight victories, a Division I program record. In addition, Hartford's last three wins have come in overtime as the team remains unbeaten in extra time this season with a 4-0-2 mark. The second seed in the postseason, Hartford improves to 11-5-2 overall while Binghamton, which earned the third seed with a 3-4-1 league record, concludes its campaign at 5-14-1.

Entering the final minute of the first overtime period, America East All-Conference Second Team selection Udi Cohen took the honors on a corner kick for the Hawks. Coming out of a scramble from inside of the box, Yeaney then kicked-in the game-deciding goal as Hartford defeated Binghamton for the second-straight time in the postseason.

Previously in the match, Yeaney broke open a 73 minute deadlock that featured ample scoring opportunities produced by Hartford's attack, all of which were shut down by the Bearcats' swarming back line. Forcing Binghamton keeper and America East Goalkeeper of the Year Robert Meowes into numerous diving saves, Yeaney scored his first goal of the contest on a corner kick served off the boot of Rohan Roye.

Binghamton was quick to provide an answer, though, as sophomore defender Zach Galluzzo connected from 16-yards out. Tommy Moon was credited with the feed that would eventually force overtime for the second-straight time in the postseason between the two squads. Despite the Hawks suffering a blow with the loss of Jhamie Hyde due to a red card in the 94th minute after he made an attempt to stop a Binghamton breakaway, Yeaney was able to put the icing on the cake for the undermanned Hawks.

Hartford's defense conceded just four shots to Binghamton as sophomore David MacKinnon, an America East All-Conference Second Team goalkeeper, made just one save. The Hawks outshot the Bearcats, 20-4.

Earlier in conference play, Hartford and UMBC played a close one out in Baltimore. With the match tied at 1-1, the Retrievers came away with the late victory as Geaton Caltabiano scored on a free kick from 20-yards away.

GOALS SUMMARY:

·         The Hawks broke open a scoreless match in the 74rd minute, as senior back Connor Yeaney connected on a corner kick off the boot of Rohan Roye that was placed right along the goal line out of reach of Moewes

·         Just two minutes later, Binghamton countered on a misplayed Hartford clear; Tommy Moon chipped a ball over a Hartford defender to Zach Galluzzo, who beat Hawks' keeper David MacKinnon with a blast to the upper right with a shot from eight yards away

·         The game-deciding tally was delivered out of another Hartford corner by Connor Yeaney; following a service from sophomore Udi Cohen, Yeaney came out of a scrum in front of the net and sent home his career-best second goal from close range 

COACH POITRAS SAID:
 "I thought we played really well. It was just unfortunate that we were unable to finish any of those chances because I thought tonight was one of our best performances as far as how we played."

INSIDE THE NUMBERS: 

·         Controlling possession for most of the match, Hartford dominated Binghamton in all statistical categories

·         Outshooting the Bearcats by a commanding 20-4 margin, the Hawks forced Robert Meowes, the America East Goalkeeper of the Year, into action seven times on the night

·         David MacKinnon was tested between the pipes just once for Hartford as he earned his sixth-straight victory

·         Hartford also worked seven more corner kicks than Binghamton as it held a 10-3 edge 

TWEETABLES (140 characters or less): 

·         .@Hart_HawkSoccer took down Binghamton in overtime, 2-1, on Wednesday night in the semifinal round of the #AECHAMPS

·         The thrilling OT win sends @Hart_HawkSoccer into the #AEMSOC title match at UMBC for the second-straight season

·         .@Hart_HawkSoccer has made an appearance in the #AEMSOC championship match three times in the last four games

·         SR defender Connor Yeaney scored a career-high two goals for the Hawks, including the OT game-winner in the 100'

·         With the semifinal win over Binghamton on Wednesday, @Hart_HawkSoccer finishes its home record with a perfect 8-0-0 record

·         .@Hart_HawkSoccer carries a six-match win-streak into Saturday's #AECHAMPS match at UMBC

·         SO GK David MacKinnon was called into action just once for @Hart_HawkSoccer, recording his 21st victory between the pipes

·         .@Hart_HawkSoccer has scored three-straight overtime wins and improves to 4-0-2 in extra time this season

·         Reeling off six-straight wins, @Hart_HawkSoccer set a Division I program record 

UP NEXT:
Punching its second-straight ticket to the America East Championship title match, the Hawks will head to Baltimore to face top-seeded UMBC on Saturday evening. Kickoff from Retriever Soccer Park is scheduled for 7 p.m.