WEST HARTFORD, Conn. - The Hartford men's soccer team gritted out a home victory against the Nichols College Bison 1-0. The win moved the Hawks to 8-5-2 overall and 4-3-1 in CNE play.

Rapid Recap:

• Hartford was able to start the game out on a strong foot, winning a corner and peppering shots at the Bison's goal in the first 10 minutes of action. The tempo of the game would begin to slow as the two defenses settled into the match, and the physicality would ramp up on both sides. Tensions rising on both sides and the ramping up of fouls would lead to the first booking of the match for Nichols' Shea Ullo in the 37th minute. As it had the entire half, the momentum continued to swing back and forth for both sides. Two shots from the Bison late in the half would fall just wide of the post, as both sides were trying for the breakthrough. In the 44th minute, right before the stroke of halftime, sophomore Adam Eley (Newington, Conn.) would pick out the run of the substitute, sophomore Cameron Tedesco (Old Saybrook, Conn.) who would bury the opener with a masterful finish. The late breakthrough would leave Nichols stunned headed into halftime, where the Hawks led 1-0.
• The Hawks entered the second half against a ferocious Bison side who seemed determined to find an equalizer early. Senior keeper Ryan Lunn's (Southington, Conn.) duties were called upon to stop multiple early chances for Nichols. The Hawks were not content to just sit on their laurels either. Multiple shots on goal teased a possible second for Hartford. The determination from both sides was evident, though neither team possessed the proper finishing ability to make the most of their chances. In the 64th minute, it seemed as though the Bison had finally broke through to equalize off of a well-designed set piece; however, the line judge raised his flag to signal for offsides. A lifeline had been extended to the Hawks. Both sides searched for a goal in this grueling fixture, and, once again, Nichols almost found it in the 70th minute, but Lunn was able to come through once again for Hartford with a crucial save. As we headed for crunch time, the Hawks continued pushing for the "knockout blow," as a gassed Bison squad defended for their lives while attempting to strike a counter attack themselves. Late in the contest, Hartford found themselves striding forward following a failed attack from Nichols but would get called for offsides in the build up. On the ensuing free kick, the Bison booted the ball forward towards the penalty area where it was flicked on towards the wing. As it rolled past the Nichols winger's out-stretched leg out of play, the referee blew his whistle for full time and called an end to this thriller, making it officially a 1-0 victory for the Hawks.

Inside the Numbers: 

• Tedesco scored the only goal for the Hawks and was assisted by Eley.
• Lunn had three saves in total on the night.
• Hartford out-shot Nichols 12-8, but both sides ended with three shots on goal each

Up Next:
The Hawks will face Wentworth Institute of Technology on Saturday, October 25th at 3:00 PM.