HARTFORD, Conn. – Thanks to a second-half brace from Barry Coffey, Hartford Athletic used a second-half surge to knot Orange County SC in United Soccer League Championship action on Wednesday night.
With the draw, Hartford earns a point in the standings and moves to 4-3-7 overall in league play. Orange County SC sits at 7-2-7 overall.
HOW IT HAPPENED
- In the 9th minute, Orange County SC broke the scoreless tie as Stephen Kelly secured the ball off of a cross and shot far side, giving the visitors a 1-0 edge early on.
- Orange County SC doubled their advantage in the 17th minute as Ousmane Sylla shuffled through several bodies out front and fired one home in the lower box, marking a 2-0 score.
- Hartford nearly cut the deficit in the 35th minute as Sadat Anaku was denied off a flurry of chances fresh off of a corner kick. In the 47th minute, Andres Hernandez sent a shot high over the goal mount.
- Following a spew of chances for Athletic to continue play in the second half, Coffey dwindled Hartford’s deficit to one with a long shot that rippled twine, marking a 2-1 score.
- In the 81st minute, Emmanuel Samadia sent a shot high before later in the 85th minute, Hartford capitalized on a tic-tac-toe finish as Michee Ngalina tapped a header over to Coffey in the low box with Coffey sending it home for the brace.
- Ngalina’s assist on Coffey’s second of the night marked the 30th assist of his career in USL Championship action. The hosts owned a 7-6 edge in shots on goal while Antony Siaha registered four saves in goal.
SERIES NOTES
- Tonight marked just the third all-time meeting between the two teams.
NEXT UP
- Hartford turns around and hosts Westchester SC in Prinx Tires USL Cup action on Saturday, July 11th.
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