Hartford Athletic’s playoff chances take hit with 2-0 home defeat to Loudoun

Hartford Athletic ‘s playoff chances took a hit on Saturday, as the team fell to fellow playoff hopeful Loudoun United , 2-0, at Trinity Health Stadium.

It was Athletic’s first loss since Aug. 10, ending an unbeaten run of seven straight games that vaulted the club from second-to-last in the East right into the thick of the playoff race.

Keegan Tingey scored the first goal of the game for Loudoun, breaking an incredible streak in which the Athletic had held opponents scoreless for more than 502 consecutive minutes. Hartford hadn’t allowed a goal in four games, since conceding to Detroit in a 1-1 draw on Aug. 31.

Tingey’s goal, his first of the season, came in the 74th minute, on a penalty after Athletic midfielder Beverly Makangila was called for a handball.

Forward Wesley Leggett added a goal for Loudoun in the 84th minute.

The win gave Loudoun (11-8-11, W-D-L, 41 points) possession of the eighth and final playoff spot in the Eastern Conference. Hartford (10-7-13, 37) could have taken that spot with a win but now sits four points back in 10th, behind Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC (9-12-10, 39), which defeated Miami FC, 4-0 on Saturday.

Hartford does have a game in hand on Pittsburgh, having played 30 games to Riverhounds’ 31. Loudoun has also played 30 games.

Hartford has four games remaining in the regular season. The team’s home finale will come Saturday, Oct. 12 against North Carolina.

UConn men’s hockey cruises past Colgate

The UConn men’s hockey team skated to a 6-2 victory over Colgate on Saturday behind five unanswered goals to complete the weekend sweep of the Raiders. Junior Jake Percival finished with two goals and one assist, sophomore Joey Muldowney finished with two assists and junior Tyler Muszelik finished with 32 saves.

UConn moved to 2-0-0 on the season.