Oct. 4, 2002

The Matchup: Stony Brook (1-8-1, 0-1 AE) returns to America East Conference play this weekend as the Seawolves travel to Hartford to take on the Hawks (2-6, 0-0 AE). The game marks the conference opener for Hartford. The Seawolves fell to Vermont 2-0 last weekend in their first conference game.

Stony Brook comes off a 2-0 shutout against Marist at home on Wednesday, while the Hawks fell to UMass 6-0 in their last outing.

Series History: Hartford won the first meeting between the teams last season with a 3-2 victory.

Stony Brook's Akil Jordan scored two goals, but but the Hawks' Easton Wilson scored the gamewinner in the 80th minute. Hartford struck first, as Alon Lubezky scored the first of his two goals just over seven minutes into the game.

The Seawolves battled back behind the play of Jordan. In the 22nd minute, Jamie Gaither passed the ball to Jordan, who one-timed the ball from 12 yards out for the first goal of his Stony Brook career.

However, Lubezky struck again with 10 minutes to go before halftime. Lubezky gathered the rebound of Wilson's initial shot to earn his second goal of the game and lead Hartford to a 2-1 halftime advantage.

Just one minute into the second period, Jordan tallied again when his 12-yard blast got by Hawks keeper Chris Doyle to even the game at 2-2. But Hartford kept up the pressure and capitalized in the 80th minute, when Wilson headed in the gamewinner to the near post to hand Hartford the 3-2 victory.

Stony Brook keeper Matt Thibdeau, making his third start of the season, collected three saves, while Doyle had five in the net for the Hawks. Hartford outshot the Seawolves 21-12 and held a 7-2 corner kick advantage.

Last Time Out: The Stony Brook men's soccer team used two second-half goals to earn a 2-0 non-conference victory over Marist at Seawolves Stadium on Wednesday.

The Seawolves started their offensive attack right after kickoff and controlled the tempo for much of the early-going, out-shooting Marist 7-2 in the first half. However, the Red Foxes (1-6) started to come alive and began an attack of their own. But both teams came up empty, and the game remained scoreless heading into halftime.

Eleven minutes into the second period, Stony Brook finally capitalized on one of its chances. With several Seawolves crowding the Marist goal, sophomore Rob Yturraspe managed to collect a deflection and pass it to sophomore Josh Allen, who slipped the ball past Marist keeper Mike Valenti. It was Allen's first career goal as a Seawolf.

With Stony Brook protecting a 1-0 lead, the Seawolves were dealt an unfortunate blow in the 75th minute when defender Chris Scarpati received his second yellow card and was ejected from the game. Despite playing a man-down, Stony Brook added to its lead just three minutes later. With senior Kevin Cameron streaking towards the goal on a breakaway, a Marist defender fouled him in the penalty area. Sophomore Chris Musinski's penalty kick sailed past the outstretched arms of Valenti and into the upper left corner of the net in the 78th minute. Stony Brook held Marist at bay to earn its first victory of the season.

Stony Brook goalkeeper Dan Ferrin finished with seven saves, while Valenti had five for the Red Foxes.

Scouting Hartford: The Hawks have dropped their last three games, including shutouts to Yale and UMass in their last two outings.

Alon Lubezky, a third-team All-American in 2001 and last year's America East Rookie of the Year, leads the conference in scoring (14 points) and total goals (six). Peter Sjolin has also played a key role in the Hawks offense, tallying two goals and four assists.

Four Hawks have seen time in the net, led by Ryan Carr who has logged nearly 540 minutes. Carr, who has both of Hartford's wins to his credit, has allowed 12 goals (2.00 GAA) and made 16 saves (percentage of .571).

All in the Family: The game against Marist pitted the Seawolves' Chris Musinski against his brother, David.

Chris Musinski, a sophomore transfer from Columbia University, has started all eight games in which he has played for the Seawolves, and his penalty kick against the Red Foxes gives him two goals on the year to lead the team.

David Musinski, a midfielder for Marist, has seen action in five games.

Allen Joins In: Sophomore transfer Josh Allen scored his first career goal as a Seawolf with his gamewinner against Marist this week. Allen's goal continued Stony Brook's trend of newcomers getting into the scoring column.

Just one of Stony Brook's goals this year has come from a returning player--redshirt junior Shane Arikian, who scored the first goal of the season. The rest have been courtesy of Seawolves newcomers, a list Allen joined against Marist.

First Time for Everything: Allen's gamewinner against Marist marked another first for Stony Brook this year--the Seawolves had not scored first in a game until the Marist contest.

Stony Brook has spent most of the season having to fight back from a 1-0 deficit. Against Holy Cross and Stetson, the Seawolves got the equalizer only to drop a one-goal decision in each match. Philadelphia broke open a 1-1 game to take a 3-1 win on Sept. 22.

The Seawolves did have another 1-0 lead at one point this season--against Sacred Heart, when a Pioneer own goal put the Seawolves ahead. Sacred Heart later tied the game and sent it to overtime with a 1-1 final outcome.

News and Notes: The Seawolves' two goals against Marist marked the first time Stony Brook has scored multiple goals in a game this season . . . Stony Brook takes on another non-conference opponent next week in Rider . . . the Seawolves then host a crucial three-game home stand in America East play . . . Northeastern, Boston University and Maine come to town during that stretch.