WEST HARTFORD, Conn. – Junior midfielder Addrian Knights-Browne scored in the 63rd minute against Central Connecticut and the Hartford men's soccer team held on for a 1-0 win against the Blue Devils Tuesday night at Al-Marzook Field.
 
Knights-Browne controlled a pass from senior Tomer Drimmer deep in the box and redirected it low to the near post past diving CCSU goalkeeper Jason Dubrovich midway through the second half. Knights-Browne now leads the Hawks (1-3-2) with two goals on the season.
 
The Blue Devils (0-6-0) had a few chances down the stretch but Hartford goalkeeper Rotem Fadida and the Hawks defense held the line for their first shutout of the year.
 
HOW IT HAPPENED
 
After a measured first half, both sides picked up the pace the break. CCSU outshot Hartford 9-5 in the second half but only put two on net, while the four of the Hawks' five second half shots were on goal.
 
Knights-Browne led the way with three shots in the game for Hartford. Sophomore John Michael Torres led CCSU's attack with four shots.
 
The Blue Devils mounted a late charge before CCSU freshman Erik Hjertsson picked up a red card in the 89th minute, giving the Hawks the advantage. Fadida punched away a CCSU coring chance in the closing seconds to secure the win.
 
INSIDE THE BOX & NOTES

• CCSU outshot the Hawks 13-7 in the game, but the Hawks led 5-4 in shots on goal
• With two goals on the season, Knights-Browne set a new career best
• Fadida finished with four saves for his first clean sheet of the season and the fourth of his career
• The Hawks were whistled for a season-high 19 fouls, while CCSU recorded 18
• Tuesday was the first career start for Hawks freshman midfielder Justin Rivas
• The win marked the 75th career win at Hartford for head coach Tom Poitras (75-76-34)

 
NEXT ON TAP
Hartford will kick off America East play on Saturday (Sept. 18) at UMBC. The Retrievers (2-2-1) hold a 7-11-4 edge in the all-time series but the Hawks The Hawks are 2-1-2 in the past five matchups. The two sides did not meet during the abbreviated 2020 season due to the COVID 19 pandemic. UMBC was picked to finish sixth in the America East Preseason Coaches' Poll.

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