Sept. 29, 2001

Stats

Oneonta, N.Y. - The Hartwick College men's soccer team (5-3) scored three goals in the final 21 minutes to pull out a 3-0 non-conference victory over Stony Brook (3-1-1) on Friday night in the Hawks' home opener at Elmore Field.

The two teams battled back and forth the first half as both had several scoring opportunities. The Hawks got off 10 first-half shots but SBU goalkeeper Dan Ferrin made six saves to keep the Hawks at bay. Seawolves midfielder Akil Jordan rifled a shot that nearly gave Stony Brook the early edge, but the ball bounced off the crossbar.

"I think this was a game that whichever team scored first would come away with the win," Stony Brook head coach Scott Dean said. "If Akil's goal had gone in, this game would have had a different complexion."

Despite applying pressure for a good deal of the game, the Hawks did not manage a goal until Matt Strode scored on a penalty kick with 20:23 remaining. Hartwick captain Neil McLean was taken down in the penalty area to force the kick.

Sophomore forward Rob Catana got Hartwick's insurance goal with about nine minutes remaining. Midfielder Kevin Saunders headed the ball into a gap, where Catana ran onto the ball and pushed it past Seawolves goalkeeper Dan Ferrin.

The Seawolves had another unlucky shot carom off the crossbar in the second half, as Jaime Serna's potential goal hit the bar, bounced off the ground and nearly into the net.

Instead, the Hawks closed out the scoring with just four seconds remaining, as Percy Avetrani tallied when he netted a rebound. Ferrin knocked away the original shot by Greg Victor, but went down after the two players collided. The ball went directly to Avetrani who scored with Ferrin still on the ground.

Hawks goalkeeper Adam Parsells picked up his first collegiate shutout with four saves for Hartwick.

Ferrin made 10 saves for the Seawolves.

"At certain times we played the best we have all year," Dean said. "They're a good team, very well-coached and well-organized. This game gives us the opportunity to see where we stand against teams of this caliber, because some of the teams in our conference are on the same level."

Stony Brook begins America East Conference play on Tuesday, Oct. 2, when the Seawolves host intrastate rival Albany at University Field. Kickoff is 4 p.m.