Tahiliani
Steve McLaughlin
1
Eastern Conn. St. ECS (4-1-1, 1-0-0)
1
Hartford HAR (2-1-1, 1-0-0)
Eastern Conn. St. ECS
(4-1-1, 1-0-0)
1
Final
1
Hartford HAR
(2-1-1, 1-0-0)
Score By Periods
Team 1 2 F
Eastern Conn. St. ECS 1 0 1
Hartford HAR 0 1 1

Game Recap: Men's Soccer |

Hartford Men's Soccer Draws Eastern Connecticut State University

WEST HARTFORD, Conn. - The Hartford men's soccer hosted its 2026 home opener on Tuesday night playing to a draw with Eastern Connecticut State University ending in a 1-1 final. 

Rapid Recap:

  • The Hawks had a great chance in the 3rd minute as sophomore Eddie Hageman (Colchester, Conn.) sent a ball in to junior Jared Noble (Nesconset, N.Y.) who lifted his chance drawing a save from Jack Harmon. The Warriors would get the lead in the 15th minute as Brad Balgach would miss a header as it went off the cross bar but the rebound went down to his foot where he powered it by junior Cristian Vitti (Stamford, Conn.). With the 1-0 lead the visitors would get another chance in the 17th minute, but Vitti made a comfortable save. Noble would get another opportunity in the 20th minute drawing another save as the game stayed 1-0 in favor of ECSU. In the 32nd minute freshman Justin Dooley (Andover, Conn.) had the chance of the first half for Hartford getting a header inside the six yard box that deflected out of play. ECSU and the Hawks would head into the break with the Warriors leading 1-0. 
  • The Hawks came out of the halftime break flying getting a pair of shots in the first ten minutes with Marek Nardi making a diving save in the second one to draw a corner kick. Noble would send in the set piece which found the head of junior Brayden Tahiliani (Toronto, Ontario) who finished home the equalizer for Hartford. With the game at 1-1 the pace steadily grew as the game became open with both teams getting chances. In the 74th and 79th minute Colin Marshall would get a pair of chances both stopped by Vitti. Freshman Rory Ohalloran (Stamford, Conn.) would get the last Hawks chance in the 85th minute as the shot went wide as the teams would end in a draw. 

Inside the Numbers:

  • Tahiliani scored his first goal of the season and fourth of his Hawks career. Noble would generate his first point of the season with the assist on the corner.
  • Vitti stopped three shots in the draw as his record is now 2-1-1. 
  • Balgach scored his second goal of the season in the draw for the Warriors. 
  • Harmon made two saves in the first 45 minutes, while Nardi made two saves in the final 45 minutes. 
  • The Hawks held a 10-8 shot advantage with a 6-4 on target differential. 

Up Next:
The Hawks will host the University of New England on Saturday at 6:00 PM in a huge conference game. 

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