It was an ending reminiscent of the last time Stony Brook and Hartford played each other.
Last year, in the America East Championship game, Hartford scored as time expired to win 11-10.
On Saturday, with Stony Brook up 10-9, Hartford’s Rory Nunamacher scored with only one second left to force the game into overtime, eventually winning the game 11-10.
Stony Brook held a 5-2 lead early in the second quarter, but were unable to extend the lead, and by the 10:21 mark of the third quarter, Hartford’s Nunamacher tied the game at six
“I was a little disappointed in that we got some easy goals early, but then guys started to get impatient,” head coach Jim Nagle said. “It kind of opened the door for them to get back into it.”
Stony Brook’s Campbell scored what looked to be the game-winning goal with only 17 seconds left in the game to make the score 10-9, shooting as he went diving into the crease.
But then the dreaded last-second goal happened.
“They seem to like to score those one-second goals,” Campbell said. “It was looking at the scoreboard that caused the deja vu.”
Stony Brook would not get another possession to redeem itself.
Hartford’s Tate Kildonas would beat Stony Brook’s JJ Laforet in the overtime’s opening faceoff, and Carter Bender would score 56 seconds into the extra session to complete the come-from-behind win.
Campbell and junior Jeff Tundo both recorded two goals and one assist in the game. Sophomore Matt Bellando also had two goals.
Nunamacher lead Hartford with a game-high four goals.
The loss to Hartford gave Stony Brook it’s first conference loss of the season. With a conference record of 3-1, the Seawolves are in a three-way tie for first place with UMBC and Albany.
Playing Albany next Saturday in the last game of the regular season, Stony Brook will have a chance to claim the first seed of the America East tournament, by virtue of having beaten UMBC during the regular season.
“We control our own destiny next week,” Campbell said. “We just got to keep our heads up and look forward to the next game.”
