West Hartford, Conn.- On a night where they honored eight seniors before the game, Hartford (7-6-2, 4-1-1 America East) went on to defeat UMBC, 3-0, on a damp, chilly night on the turf at Al-Marzook Field.
The Retrievers fall to 12-4-0 and 3-3-0 in America East play. Although UMBC cannot get a first-round bye in the America East Tournament, they can still host a game with a win or possibly a draw at Binghamton on Saturday.
The Hawks dominated play in the first half, outshooting UMB C, 9-1, and taking five corners to none for UMBC. Hartford scored in the 15th minute, when Patrick Boucher attempted a deep cross fooled the UMBC defense and hit the inside of the far left post and rolled into the net. In the 40thminute, a Hawk corner kick from the right side came all the way through the box to the left side and midfielder Vernon Perinchief ripped home a shot into the right corner of the net from 15 yards away.
UMBC had the prevailing wind in the second half, but could not dent the Hawk defense. Hartford scored the game' third goal on a quick restart and goal by Ivan Guarin in the 72nd minute.
Retriever freshman goalkeeper Phil Saunders (Perry Hall) made six saves in the game.
