THE BASICS:
RESULT: Vermont 2, Hartford 1
RECORDS: Hartford 4-4-3, 0-1-1 AE; Vermont 6-5-1, 1-1-0 AE
LOCATION: Al-Marzook Field at Alumni Stadium (West Hartford, Conn.)
THE LEAD: Junior Jeff Tryon delivered his third goal of the season in the 86th minute, but it was not enough for the University of Hartford men's soccer team to overcome a two-goal deficit at home as it dropped a 2-1 decision to Vermont on Saturday. The loss was the first for Hartford on its home turf of Al-Marzook Field in over two years, as it rode a 16-game unbeaten streak (13-0-3) into the conference clash.
HOW IT HAPPENED:
· After a scoreless first half, Bernard Yeboah one-timed Hartford keeper David MacKinnon from on top of the scoring box at 47:07 to give Vermont the advantage. Brian Wright provided the pass, sending a ball from the end line.
· With 20:26 left in regulation, Hartford suffered a blow that saw the squad lose leading-scorer Javoni Simms to a red card on a hard tackle. The Catamounts capitalized on the 11-on-10 advantage in the 83rd minute, with Stefan Lamanna doubling their lead to 2-0.
· In the closing minutes of the match, the Hawks cut their deficit in half with 2:49 remaining on the clock. Freshman Mikkel Song initiated the offense, sending a deep pass from midfield. Classmate Andri Jonasson got his head on the ball on top of the 18-yard box, and Tryon blasted a shot past Wright to make it a 2-1 contest. The goal was too little, too late, for the Hawks, though, as they were unable to muster up an attempt for the equalizer.
· Both teams produced great scoring opportunities in the first half, as the two sides finished even in shot attempts at four apiece. It was Vermont that got the offense going first, as Lamanna hit the near post on a one-on-one with MacKinnon in the 10th minute. Bernard Yaboah managed to break through Hartford's defense again, but MacKinnon was in place to turn away his shot on the breakaway in the 22nd minute.
· The Hawks shook off a slow start and turned up the pressure in the latter part of the second half. Vermont keeper Greg Walton prevented the Hawks from cashing in on three opportunities during that stretch, making saves on shots by Jeff Tryon (26'), Mikkel Song (40') and Matt Barry (43').
· Walton was first forced into action on Tryon's back-heel flick shot, which came after the senior received a pass inside of the six from freshman Andri Jonasson. At 39:14, Song took the honors on a free kick and ripped a shot to the near post, forcing Walton to make the diving save. The Hawks had one final chance at breaking open the game before halftime, with redshirt-junior Matt Barry rifling a shot from inside the 18-yard box on a long pass from MacKinnon from the opposite end of the pitch. Walton was again up for the challenge, as he collected his third save of the half to keep the match scoreless.
INSIDE THE NUMBERS:
· After finishing even in shots at the half (4-4), the Catamounts held a slight, 5-4 edge in the second half
· Corner kicks were also even at three apiece
· Junior goalkeeper David MacKinnon turned away two shots, while Greg Walton came up with three saves for the Catamounts, all of which came in the first half
NEWS & NOTES:
· Vermont handed Hartford its first loss in four games, as the Hawks rode a 3-0-1 unbeaten streak into Saturday's match.
· Prior to Saturday's loss, the Hawks were unbeaten in their last 16 games at Al-Marzook Field, posting a 13-0-3 record during that stretch.
· Hartford, which holds a 15-12-8 advantage in the series, also saw a two-game win streak against Vermont come to an end on Saturday
· Tryon improved his season goal total to third, which ranks second on the team.
UP NEXT:
Hartford hits the road for four of its next five contests, beginning with a tilt against Albany in New York's capital city on Wednesday, Oct. 14. Kickoff is scheduled for 7 p.m.
