Bastian Stech
2
Winner HARTFORD HARTFORD (9-9-3, 2-3-2 AE)
1
SBU SBU (9-6-3, 4-2-1 AE)
Winner
HARTFORD HARTFORD
(9-9-3, 2-3-2 AE)
2
Final
1
SBU SBU
(9-6-3, 4-2-1 AE)
Score By Periods
Team 1 2 F
HARTFORD HARTFORD 1 1 2
SBU SBU 0 1 1

Game Recap: Men's Soccer | | Hartford Athletics Communications

Hawks Topple No. 1 Stony Brook, Advance To America East Championship

THE BASICS:
 
RESULT: Hartford 2, Stony Brook 1
RECORDS: Hartford (9-9-3, 2-3-2 America East), Stony Brook (9-6-3, 4-2-1 America East)
LOCATION: LaValle Stadium (Stony Brook, N.Y.)

THE LEAD:
 
For the second time in as many matches, freshman midfielder Bastian Stech scored in the game's closing minutes, this time lifting the No. 5 University of Hartford Men's Soccer team past top-seeded Stony Brook, 2-1, in the America East Semifinals. The Hawks (9-9-3, 2-3-2 America East) will face No. 2 Albany for the conference championship on Sunday, Nov. 13, at 2 p.m. in Albany.
 
Stech broke the tie in the 86th minute heading in a volley from freshman Kelechi Akujobi. The Seawolves had knotted the game at 1-1 less than five minutes earlier. Hartford sophomore Andri Jonasson gave the Hawks a 1-0 lead just seconds before halftime.
 

HOW IT HAPPENED:
  • With time running out in the first half, Jonasson broke through for the Hawks, heading in a free kick by freshman Alexis Triadis. Triadis' perfectly-placed cross came from 15 yards out on the left side and Jonasson redirected just inside the far post, beating Stony Brook keeper Tom McMahon.
  • The Seawolves answered in the 81st minute on a goal by Macdara Heanue. Steven Ghitis lobbed an entry pass deep into the box, where Vince Erdei drilled a low cross to set up Heanue.
  • Stech broke the deadlock less than five minutes later. Akujobi floated the ball in from 40 yards out and Stech connected for a 5-yard header, tucking it under the crossbar and out of McMahon's reach.
 
 
INSIDE THE NUMBERS:
  • Stech's goal was his third of the season and second in the past two games. His first goal of the year came in the season opener. Hartford played 1,843 minutes between his first two goals and 89 minutes between goals two and three.
  • Stony Brook outshot Hartford, 13-8, and held the edge in corner kicks (4-2).
  • Hartford keeper Jimmy Slayton and McMahon each finished with two saves.
  • Jonasson and senior Jeff Tryon led Hartford with two shots apiece. Four Sealwolves notched two shots.
 

NEWS & NOTES:
  • With the win, Hartford earned its third championship berth in the past four seasons. The Hawks fell to UMBC in 2013 and 2014.
  • Stony Brook (9-6-3, 4-2-1 AE) won, 3-1, against Hartford during the regular season and earned the top seed in the tournament. UNH, which Hartford defeated in the quarterfinals,  also won against the Hawks during the regular season. Hartford tied Albany, 0-0, on Oct. 1.
  • The Hawks (No. 5) are the only lower seed to advance in this year's conference tournament, beating both No. 4 UNH and No. 1 Stony Brook. No. 2 Albany defeated No. 3 Vermont in the other semifinal matchup.
  • The last time Hartford was the No. 5 seed was in 2011. The Hawks beat No. 4 UMBC in the quarterfinals and knocked off No. 1 Boston University in the semis, but fell to Stony Brook in the title game.
  • Freshman Gael Kisombe and junior defender Andre Morrison each made their 21st start in 21 appearances this season.
 
 
UP NEXT:
The Hawks will visit No. 2 seeded Albany (9-5-3, 4-2-1 AE) on Sunday, Nov. 13, at 2 p.m. for the America East Championship game. The two clubs played to a 0-0 draw during the conference opener for both teams, on Oct. 1. The Great Danes tied Stony Brook with 13 points in the conference standings, but fell to the No. 2 seed in the postseason by virtue of a 2-1 overtime loss on Oct. 22.
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