Posted on September 17, 2007
In steady rain Friday night at the JMU Soccer Complex, the men’s soccer team lost 2-1 against the Hartford Hawks. The winning goal came in a golden goal overtime period by senior Daniel Antunez with only one minute and 36 seconds remaining.
“To their credit, they got one chance in the overtime, they win and we lose,” coach Tom Martin said.
The Dukes started the first half strong and outshot the Hawks four to three in the period as they broke through with about eight minutes remaining in the half. Redshirt senior Frankie D’Agostino was able to sneak behind the Hartford defense, control a deflection and push it past the goalkeeper for the 1-0 lead.
“I got lucky with the ball just popping out and I put it in to solidify at least one for us,” D’Agostino said.
Defensively, Madison continued to catch Hartford in an off-sides position. Although the back four defenders were not using an off-sides trap, it became one as the Hawks struggled to adjust to Madison’s flat back four early on.
“It’s not supposed to be [an offsides trap] but it worked effectively tonight,” Martin said. “They held their line at the right times.”
The beginning of the second half brought heavier rain and adjustments from the Hawks who switched from a 4-4-2 alignment to a 4-5-1 in hopes of dribbling through and avoiding any off-side calls. The adjustment brought more pressure against the Dukes defense and 11 minutes into the half the Hawks found the back of the net.
Dribbling down the right side, Hartford junior Andreas Blamo sent a ball across the mouth of the goal for freshman Sam Groves, who beat Madison goalie Ken Manahan on the ground.
“We came out flat at the beginning of the second half, soaked up a lot of pressure and finally broke and just weren’t playing well,” Martin said.
Madison still had opportunities to win the game with 17 minutes to play when a JMU cross was sent in and missed by three players, all with chances to grab the lead back for the Dukes.
Though the overtime period was played in puddles, JMU came out strong as freshman midfielder Stefan Durr had two shots and forced a corner to spark Madison. With just under two minutes remaining junior forward Kyle Morsink was fouled in the Dukes attacking third, giving JMU a free kick.
“In the overtime we came out, pressed them, and did very well,” Martin said. “[We] got some chances, didn’t stick them in, and their keeper made one very huge save.”
Off the free kick, Hartford made a quick transition down the middle of the field. Antunez got behind the Madison defense, got past Manahan and pushed the ball into an open net to end the game.
“Every game is another lesson learned,” senior midfielder Tristan Murray said. “It’s us not capitalizing on their [mistakes] and them capitalizing on our [mistakes].”
The loss drops the Dukes to 1-3-1 coming into their Wednesday match at home against American. The game starts at 7 p.m. and will be key to Madison getting back on track.
“It was a tough game for us. We are going to have to become older and more mature very quickly,” Martin said.
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