HAMBURG, NY – Hilbert Men's soccer hosted Pitt Bradford this afternoon in an important match between two teams fighting for Allegheny Mountain Collegiate Conference Playoff positioning. A pair of set piece goals were split between the Hawks and Bobcats on Hawk Field as the teams played to a 1-1 draw.

Last week's Hawks of the week combined to open the scoring for Hilbert in the 18^th minute of the game, before Bradford found a dramatic equalizer with a little over a minute to go in the contest.

Hilbert controlled play to begin the game, creating multiple chances in the Bradford end. After John Schroth and Carter Burke each saw shots sent aside, the Hawks got their breakthrough from a corner kick.

Burke sent a perfect cross onto the head of Cam Murdie who emphatically finished the ball into the back of the net to open the scoring and give the Hawks a deserved 1-0 lead.

Hilbert didn't let up after the goal, as the Hawks got shots from Chris Smith and Jason Vullo before the end of the half, but Bradford goalie Troy VanSickle, who came into the game second in the AMCC in saves, made both stops to keep his team in the game.

On the other end, the conference's leader in stops, Daniel Downes, smothered the lone Panther shot of the half to keep his squad ahead by a goal when the halftime whistle blew.

The action slowed down out of the break with physical play on both ends resulting in early fouls for each side. Bradford recorded the first shot on goal of the half with Downes earning his second save of the game in the 65^th minute.

Hilbert had a pair of chances to put the game away in the late stages, as Smith and Vullo each forced spectacular saves from VanSickle.

With the deficit still only one for the Panthers, a free kick right outside the box in the 89^th minute created an opportunity to earn an important conference draw.

Will Smith stepped up for the Panthers and sent the ball in the top corner of the net to knot the game at one all in the late stages.

Hilbert had a chance to regain their lead with a corner kick in the dying seconds, but the Hawks were unable to recreate their goal from earlier in the game resulting in a 1-1 draw.

GAME NOTES

• Murdie's header marked his second goal of the season, and first in conference play.
• Burke recorded an assist for a third straight game.
• Downes made a pair of stops before exiting the game in the 89^th minute.

 
UP NEXT
The Hawks will continue to fight for positioning in the AMCC standings when La Roche comes to Hawk Field on Saturday, October 26^th. The 1 PM contest will be the team's final home regular season matchup of the year.