May 11, 2024 – United Soccer League Championship (USL)
Hartford Athletic News Release
Hartford Athletic could not fight their way back into tonight’s match after conceding in the first half, falling to Colorado Springs 2-0.
There was little action through the opening 20 minutes of tonight’s match, with neither team showing a clear edge in the early stages. Michee Ngalina had Hartford’s best scoring chance in the 19th minute. Marlon Hairston played a well-weighted ball from midfield that took one bounce before hitting Ngalina in stride at the top of the box, but the forward was taken off the ball by Koa Santos and a charging Christian Herrera off his line. Five minutes later, the visitors struck first. Maalique Foster delivered a quality lead ball into the box for Yosuke Hanya, and Hanya powered his shot to the top left corner of the box.
Colorado Springs nearly doubled their lead in the 42nd minute if not for a quick reaction save from Renan Ribeiro. Foster rolled another ball into the box for Zach Zandi behind Hartford’s back line. Zandi tried to beat Ribeiro low to the right side, but the Brazilian keeper was perfectly positioned and got his left hand to the ball to keep the deficit at one. The score remained the same at the end of the half.
Hartford came out of the second half gate much stronger in their attacking play, creating a slew of scoring chances in the early stages and coming inches away from tying the game in the 57th minute. Michee Ngalina found space just outside the box off of a turnover, and lofted his shot over Herrera and off the crossbar. The ball bounced on the goal line and out to Deshane Beckford, who’s header was desperately saved by Duke Lacroix in bicycle kick fashion off the line.
Athletic stayed in pursuit of a leveler, following the first chance with another in the 68th minute. Awarded a corner on the right side, Hodge sent a crosser into the head of defender Joe Farrell, who fired a header off the right woodwork.
Colorado Springs extended their lead in the 80th minute to put the game away. Jordan Scarlett slid into Hanya inside the box, threatening to score his second goal of the night and drawing a penalty. Ronaldo Dumas took the PK and sent it by Ribeiro to give Switchbacks FC a 2-0. Despite more quality in the second half of play, Hartford couldn’t find a goal and the score remained the same at the final whistle.
Hartford Athletic fall to 3-5-0 with the loss. They go back on the road for a matchup with Indy Eleven…