The Men’s soccer team took the pitch in Albany, New York and kept their winning streak alive with a win over the Russell Sage Gators with a final score of 1-0.
It was a very close game as in the first half neither the Hawks or Gators could get much offense going as both teams could only muster 4 shots. The Gators held most of the ball in the first half, while the Hawks were chasing it, they did not let that stop them from trying to make a play as they were on the receiving end of many physical fouls from the Gators.
Looking now at the second half the Gators put up 9 shots to the Hawks’ 5 shots but fortunately for the Hawks, star player Alex Quinones scored a penalty in the 76th minute for the win.
Russell Sage played a very intense game against the Hawks as the Gators finished the game with five yellow cards to the Hawks’ three. With the extremely aggressive foul from sophomore Christian Beres inside the box which allowed Alex Quinones to take the game winning penalty kick. This was a very well-played defensive game as only 3 shots were put on target between the two teams for the entire game. Hartford did finish the game being the more physically dominant team as they led the second half in fouls at 11 but had less fouls than the Gators with the Gators having sixteen fouls in the game.
Both defenses were on point as neither goalkeeper had to make a save in the first half of the game. However, in the second half, Hawks goalkeeper Ryan Lunn made one save while Gators keeper Maximilian Bertmann made one on two shots faced.
This was Lunn’s second shutout of the season and 4th in his young collegiate career. Both teams have a lot to look forward to as conference play begins, for the Hawks they still have their stars of Quinones and Lunn while the Gators know they have a good defense and just need to find the net on offense.