David MacKinnon helped the Hawks to another shutout. Courtesy of HartfordHawks.com

The University of Hartford and American University played 110 minutes of scoreless action on Friday night, as both teams battled to a 0-0 deadlock at Al-Marzook Field at Alumni Stadium.

With the tie, the Hawks remain undefeated in 2013 with a 3-0-2 overall record while the Eagles shift to a record 1-2-2.
An enduring match, that featured 44 fouls and eight cards issued between the two squads, Hartford generated 14 shots, doubling the amount of its opponents, but was unable to put the finishing touches on any of its quality attempts.

Freshman goalie David MacKinnon was called into action twice on the evening and answered on both occasions, earning his third clean slate.

Since his debut last Tuesday he has not allowed a single goal, reaching a stretch of 355 consecutive shutout minutes.

Leading the offensive attack for Hartford was sophomore Javoni Simms and senior Anthony Santaga.

Two of Santaga’s opportunities were put on goal, forcing American goalkeeper Billy Knutsen into action.

Knutsen finished with four saves on the night, including an impressive stop on what could have been the game-deciding goal, a point-blank Santaga shot from five yards out in the 97 minute.

Outshooting the opposition 14-7, Hartford then boasted the two best scoring attempts of the opening stretch.

The first of which came off the boot of Simms early in the match and the final look coming in the closing minutes by Santaga.

In the 11 minute, junior Omar Tall pierced the defense with a lateral pass from the left side of the 18-yard box to Simms.

Upon receiving the pass, Simmsthen rocketed a shot from eight yards away, but Knutsen made the stop.

Later in the half, Simms again created chances for the Hawks, pushing a deep pass downfield on a breakaway opportunity in the 41 minute.

His ball found a streaking Santaga who blasted a one-touch shot towards the goal, but his opportunity was inches too high as his attempt ricocheted off the crossbar to keep the match level upon the 45 minute mark.

Hartford continued to fire shots in to American’s zone after the break.

Rookie Jeff Tryon stepped up taking his first of two shots in the 50 minute, misfiring just wide of the left goal post while in the 66 minute, Tall got his right foot behind a long attempt from beyond the penalty area, but missed high.

The final two minutes of regulation featured an exciting series of close calls for the Hawks.

A scramble inside of the 18 yard box turned into a series of passes off the heads of Jhamie Hyde and Bernhardsson that were directed to the right boot of Santaga.

The senior was right on the mark, but Knutsen was in the right place to make the save in the 88 minute.

Less than a minute later, Bernhardsson initiated the final attempt on goal.

After shaking American defender Jake Garcia in a one-on-one battle in the box, Bernhardsson slotted a pass to Simms.

Firing a header, Simms was just high of the goal in the 89 minute. Shortly after, Hartford was forced to play a man down, as Simms was booked for his second card with 84 seconds remaining in the first overtime period. Hartford was unable to muster up a shot in the final 11 minutes.

The Hawks will be back at home this Friday to take on the Crimson from Harvard at 7 p.m.