WEST HARTFORD, Conn. – Senior forward Mori Diane scored in the 63rd minute to lift the Saint Joseph's men's soccer squad to a 1-0 victory over Hartford at Al-Marzook Field at Alumni Stadium on Tuesday evening. With its second straight win, SJU improves to 2-3-0, while Hartford falls to 0-3-1. 

"It was a very physical game, and our team matched the intensity of a very good team," said head coach Don D'Ambra. "We took their strengths away and were able to get another three points on the road!"

Junior midfielder Matt Crawford created a Hartford turnover just outside of the box on SJU's offensive end of the field and found Diane, who won the 1-v-1 situation with Hartford goalkeeper Jimmy Slayton and tucked away his third collegiate goal at the 62:38 mark.

"Mori [Diane] executed his opportunity perfectly," added D'Ambra. 

For the match, Hartford owned an 8-6 edge in shots, while both squads saw an even five opportunities in corner kicks. 

Junior goalkeeper Greg O'Connell (2-3-0) was called upon to make one save, in the 13th minute, and did so en route to his second consecutive shutout in five days. 

O'Connell was assisted by his defensive unit of seniors Tom Santilli and Mike Stuski, juniors Kevin Lockhart and Ben Zambetti, and sophomore Eddie McCusker, a group that limited Hartford's offense to just one shot on goal and eight total shots. 

"It was an impressive effort from our team tonight," added D'Ambra. "Defensively, Greg [O'Connell] and the entire back line of Mike [Stuski], Ben [Zambetti], Eddie [McCusker], Kevin [Lockhart], and Tom [Santilli] did a great job of defending our defensive third. Eric [Jordan] shut down their most dangerous player, and Bliss [Harris] was very impactful on both end of the fields for us."

The Hawks return home to host Navy this Saturday, September 17 at 7:00 p.m. on Sweeney Field.

MATCH NOTES: The Hawks are on a two-match winning streak, with both wins coming on the road... Senior forward Mori Diane's match-winner served as his first goal of the season and third of his career... Junior midfielder Matt Crawford has now played a part in both of SJU's scoring plays this season after putting away the match-winning goal at Howard on Friday... His assist marks the first of his career... The Hawks received full-match efforts from goalkeeper Greg O'Connell, midfielders Matt Crawford and Eric Jordan (season-high), and defenders Bliss Harris, Eddie McCusker, and Ben Zambetti... Sophomore forward Derek MacKinnon saw a season-high 55 minutes in his second appearance of the season.