Men's Soccer Downed by Hartford, 2-1
Beddouri scores the Blue Devils goal just before halftime.
The Central Connecticut men's soccer team fell to Hartford, 2-1, on Wednesday night at CCSU Soccer Field. The Blue Devils tied the game just before halftime, but a Hawks goal just after intermission proved to be the difference.
The Blue Devils are now 2-4-1 overall on the season and Hartford is 3-3-2.
The Hawks took a 1-0 lead on the fifth goal of the season from Javoni Simms in the 29th minute of the first half. Simms took a pass from Brian Richards from the right side and fired it by Central goalkeeper Nick Velleca for the one goal lead.
The Blue Devils tied the game with four seconds to play before halftime on the third goal of the season from freshman Louis Beddouri. On a corner kick from senior Zach Zurita the Blue Devils and Hawks battled for possession in front of the net. Sophomore Ryan Taylor took a shot that deflected to Beddouri who then beat Hartford goalkeeper David MacKinnon to tie the game just before halftime.
The Hawks took a quick 2-1 lead in the second half when Jhamie Hyde scored on a penalty kick just 28 seconds into the period that proved to be the game-winner. His shot beat Centrtal sophomore goalkeeper Carson D'Ambrosio who had entered the game at halftime for the Blue Devils.
Central had a late chance to draw level that came after winning a free kick just outside the Hartford 18-yard box with under a minute to play in the second half, but the attempt was off target and the Hawks managed to run out the remaining time.
CCSU had nine corner kicks in the second half and finished with a 10-6 advantage in the game. The teams each had five shots in the second half, but Hartford finished with a slight, 13-8, margin.
Velleca made one save in the first half, while D'Ambrosio turned away three shots for CCSU in the second half. MacKinnon finished with one save for Hartford.
Central is back in action next Tuesday night on the road at St. John's beginning at 7:30 p.m. Their next home game will come on Oct. 7 vs. NJIT at 7 p.m. They'll open Northeast Conference play at home on Oct. 11 hosting two-time defending league champion St. Francis College.
