Men's Soccer Advances in America East Tournament With Win Over UMBC

Sophomore Anthony Santaga netted the game's only goal.

The University of Hartford men’s soccer team knocked off fifth-seeded UMBC, the defending America East Tournament champions, on the Retrievers' soccer field with a 1-0 win in the quarterfinals of the America East Championship on Saturday evening (Nov. 5).

The Hawks advance to the tournament’s semifinals for the second time in three years and will face the top-seeded and 2011 regular season champion Boston University Terriers in Boston on Wednesday (Nov. 9) at 7 p.m.

Anthony Santaga provided the game-winner, scoring in the 69th minute, while Luke Citriniti rejected seven shots in goal to lift the Hawks (7-8-4) to the postseason win.

UMBC put the pressure on the Hawks early and tested Citriniti with five shots, forcing him in to three first-half saves. The Hartford senior finished with seven on the match, including a key rejection in the 34th minute on Retrievers’ striker Pete Caringi where he dove to his left to make the stop from point blank inside of the box.

After the halftime break, rookie Atobra Ampadu connected with Santaga for what proved to be the game-deciding marker at 68:16. After winning a battle for the ball, Ampadu, a defender, dribbled into the box and hit Santaga with a short cross. Santaga put the finishing touches on the ball when he redirected it from six yards out and hit the right side of the goal.

UMBC finished ahead in the shots column at 16-15, while Hartford held the 4-2 advantage in corner kicks. UMBC finishes the season with an overall record of 7-8-3.