Gutierrez
Steve McLaughlin
2
Winner Hartford HARTFORD (2-0-0)
1
Saint Joseph (Conn.) USJ (0-2-1)
Winner
Hartford HARTFORD
(2-0-0)
2
Final
1
Saint Joseph (Conn.) USJ
(0-2-1)
Score By Periods
Team 1 2 F
Hartford HARTFORD 2 0 2
Saint Joseph (Conn.) USJ 1 0 1

Game Recap: Men's Soccer | | Caroline Austin

Hawks Men's Soccer Start Season Strong with 2-1 Victory Over University of Saint Joseph

WEST HARTFORD, Conn. - The Hartford men's soccer team picked up a 2-1 victory over cross town rival the University of Saint Joseph on Friday afternoon to win the West Hartford derby. Freshman Jovan Lopez-Gutierrez (Meriden, Conn.) and freshman Rory Ohalloran (Stamford, Conn.) each scored their first collegiate goals in their season debut as the Hawks improved to 1-0. 

Rapid Recap:

  • USJ would start the game strong getting a couple early chances with junior Cristian Vitti (Stamford, Conn.) making the early saves. The Hawks would break through late in the first half, as Lopez-Gutierrez would lift a shot over the Blue Jays keeper in the 40th minute to give Hartford the 1-0 lead. Just over four minutes later, O'Halloran would double the Hawks' advantage, scoring off an assist from sophomore Nikodem Kolc (New Britain, Conn.) to make it 2-0. As the half was coming to a close the Blue Jays would draw a penalty kick. Nico Hamzavi would score off the penalty with just five seconds remaining in the first half as the game was 2-1 headed into half. 
  • The second half was very physical with few chances between the two sides. Junior Jared Noble (Nesconset, N.Y.) would get a chance in the 58th minute which was saved by Andres Diosa. The Blue Jays first shot of the second half came in the 78th minute which was high of the net. USJ would have two more opportunities which both resulted over the bar as the Hawks closed out the 2-1 win. 

Post Game Press:
"It felt amazing scoring," said freshmen Rory O'Halloran (Stamford, Conn.). "It is hard putting it into words. Getting us the goal that gave us the win makes it even sweeter. Now we can focus on Sunday."

Inside the Numbers:

  • Lopez-Gutierrez and Ohalloran each logged goals off the bench for Hartford with the lone assist also coming from a reserve in Kolc.
  • Vitti earned his first win of the season in net, making three saves while allowing just one goal across the 90 minutes.
  • Diosa made two saves in net for USJ in the loss while allowing the two goals. 
  • Hartford out-shot the University of Saint Joseph by a 16-9 margin, while both teams finished with four shots on goal. The Hawks earned five corner kicks compared to three for the Blue Jays.
  • The game ended with 26 fouls (16 Hartford - 10 USJ) and a pair of yellow cards in the physical derby.

Up Next:
The Hawks will travel to Trinity College, as they take on the Bantams this Sunday, September 6th with a 5:00 PM start. 

For the latest information Hartford Athletics follow the Hawks on Facebook, Instagram, X, and YouTube.

Print Friendly Version