With the regular season title already secured, Hartford City Football Club traveled to Albany to face a motivated New York Shockers side looking to lock in a home playoff match. Hartford City, fielding a heavily rotated squad with only 15 players available, dug deep to grind out a hard-fought 1-1 draw in their regular season finale.
The Shockers nearly struck first in the 15th minute after a Hartford City turnover in midfield sparked a quick counter. The ball was set back for a Shockers midfielder at the top of the box, and his first-time curling effort crashed off the crossbar in the first real threat of the match.
Despite the early pressure, it was Hartford who opened the scoring. In the 27th minute, center back Colin Goodhines stepped up to intercept a pass in his own half and proceeded to drive forward with purpose. After carrying the ball nearly the length of the field, Goodhines found himself in the Shockers’ box and calmly slotted the ball past the goalkeeper for a stunning solo effort—his first goal of the season.
The Shockers responded with a long-range effort in the 32nd minute, but goalkeeper Nate DiLoreto handled it comfortably. Moments later, Andrew Bilbie’s dangerous free kick was deflected out for a corner, while Trevor Rau made a key clearance in the 40th minute, cutting out a rebound in a crowded box. Just before halftime, the Shockers saw a headed effort from a corner sail over the bar.
Hartford City made a goalkeeper change at the half, with Julian Ballester replacing DiLoreto. In the 51st minute, Matteo Azambuja tried his luck from distance, but his strike was saved. The Shockers then came inches from equalizing in the 53rd minute, blazing a short-range effort over the bar after a quick counter attack.
Their breakthrough finally came in the 57th minute. A well-delivered free kick found a Shockers center back who rose high and nodded home the equalizer past Ballester.
Hartford nearly retook the lead in the 64th minute, as a corner from Nate Becher found Jaiden Daigle at the back post, but his header was saved by the Shockers’ keeper. The hosts had another dangerous moment in the 78th minute, but Ballester came up big again, diving low to stop a header from another set piece.
The second half turned into a gritty and physical affair, with both teams struggling to carve out clear chances. Despite being short-handed and away from home, Hartford City showed strong resolve to earn a well-deserved point against a playoff-hungry Shockers side.
With the draw, Hartford City finishes the regular season unbeaten and now shifts its focus to the playoffs, where they will host Osner’s FC in the North Atlantic Division Semifinals.
