Late Penalty Shot in Regulation Downs Men's Soccer 3-2 at Hartford
BOX SCORE
WEST HARTFORD, CONN.- Despite taking the lead twice in the game, University at Albany men's soccer (3-8-6, 1-4-1 AE) fell 3-2 in overtime at Hartford on Saturday night. The Great Danes will fight for their spot in the America East Tournament on Wednesday at 7:00 p.m., against Binghamton from Bob Ford Field.
After two early Hartford shots, a Hawks foul set up a free kick on the right side for UAlbany. Martin Gorrie sent a bending ball towards Bernardo Mattos, but the defender's header slid wide right.
As the rain picked up at Al-Marzook Field, Hartford had increasing difficulty clearing the ball out of their own end. The Great Danes earned three straight corner kicks, but direct service off the corners and rebound attempts came up short in the 15th and 16th minutes.
Gorrie tracked down a rebound and took it himself in the 22nd minute, but his shot from 25 yards out sailed wide right.
Despite out-shooting the Purple & Gold 5-2, UAlbany continued its campaign to gain back the momentum. Keith Traut came down on a throw-in and found Afonso Pinheiro in front of the net. Pinheiro couldn't connect on the service attempt at the six-yard box.
Hartford fell victim to a defensive miscommunication in the 25th minute. Brandon Wilson looked to take advantage with a cross, but couldn't find anyone on the goal line.
On its fourth corner kick of the first half, Gorrie finally connected with two Great Danes far post. Ivan Martinez took the first shot, but a team save by Hartford sent the rebound straight to Dominic McGarr. The senior defender buried it for his first goal of the season and a 1-0 lead with six minutes left in the period.
A spill just outside the box set up a free kick for the Hawks in the 48th minute, but UAlbany dodged a bullet as Hartford fired high to kick off the second half.
The Great Danes responded with another corner kick on the other end. Gorrie's service went across the six yard box to Anthony Rozzano, but the junior missed wide left.
In the 53rd minute, Gorrie found himself clear to attack down the middle after a tackle in the Hartford end. The junior played Martinez at the 18 yard-box, and Martinez sent the ball towards Leo Melgar. Melgar fired from 12 yards out, but Hartford's MacKinnon made the save off his line.
Another UAlbany foul set up a set piece for Hartford 27 yards from goal, but the Hawks shot was blocked with 30 minutes left in regulation.
Mattos and Gorrie continued to connect in the second half. Gorrie found the sophomore defender far post, but MacKinnon punched out the service before Mattos could get a head on it.
After a number of Great Danes fouls in front of the net, Hartford weaved its way through the UAlbany 18 yard-box to score with 19 minutes left.
The Purple & Gold wasted no time getting back on the offensive, as Pinheiro streaked down the right side to fire low far post. MacKinnon made the initial save, but Melgar was in front of the net for the rebound. The sophomore put the ball away on an empty net to regain the lead 2-1 with 17 minutes to go.
Hartford finally caught its break on a foul in the box with 20 seconds remaining in regulation. The Hawks converted on a penalty kick to tie the score at two and send the game to overtime.
In the first overtime, a skirmish in front of the UAlbany goal set up a free kick. The ensuing rebound on a Michael Pizzuti save set up a Hartford corner. The Hawks put in a header on the goal line to take the 3-2 overtime victory.
The Great Danes (3-8-6, 1-4-1 AE) face Binghamton on Wednesday, Nov. 5 at 7:00 p.m., from Bob Ford Field to conclude the regular season.
