HARTFORD, Conn. – Markus Naglestad produced two pieces of set piece magic as Hartford Athletic rallied from a late two-goal deficit to earn a 2-2 draw with Loudoun Athletic on Sunday night at Dillon Stadium to preserve their undefeated record at home this season.

Signed only nine days ago, Naglestad began Hartford’s comeback with five minutes to go. Awarded a free kick 25 yards from goal to the right of center, the Norwegian forward bent a perfect shot over and around the wall that tucked just inside the right post past the dive of Loudoun goalkeeper Simon Lefebvre.

Then four minutes later on a chance from a similar line but more than 30 yards from goal, Naglestad produced an even better strike that hit the right upright. The rebound off the post came off the back of Lefebvre and sat up in the six-yard area where Alex Dixon was first to react and send home a diving header that leveled the score for the hosts.

Both teams had opened the game brightly, but the visitors created the first good chance in the 13th minute. A counterattack by Loudoun put Michael Gamble into space in the left channel, and his low shot to the far post was well turned around the post by Hartford goalkeeper Parfait Mandanda. The Athletic’s Dixon also threatened three minutes later, but his shot from near the top of the penalty area after cutting in from the right side was sharply saved byLefebvre.

United struck first in the 22nd minute, however, as a free kick from the left by Jeremy Garay was delivered in toward the penalty spot. Shane Wiedt rose above the crowd of players in the penalty area and sent his header back into the left corner of the net.

The Athletic went close to an equalizer in the 33rd minute when Tyreke Johnson produced a good first touch to get past his marker and drove into the left side of the penalty area, but his shot was parried away by Lefebvre. A few minutes later, Loudoun opened up another chance when a good pass upfield by Elvis Amoh released Kairou Amoustapha into the right channel, but his low cross was met by a soft finish from Alioune Ndour which allowed Mandanda to make the save to his left.

Chances were harder to come by in the second half, but with 20 minutes to go Loudoun doubled its lead as Josh Fawole held up possession in the Athletic penalty area. The ball was stabbed away from the forward, but it bounced to the top of the penalty area where Elvis Amoh produced a spectacular first-time strike to the left corner of the net that appeared to have set United on its way to an important three points.

Naglestad would have the final word, however, as his pair of free kicks lifted Hartford late and send the fans home happy after a thrilling conclusion to the contest.

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Markus Naglestad, Hartford Athletic – The halftime substitute made a decisive late contribution with the opening goal for the hosts and the free kick off the woodwork that resulted in Alex Dixon’s equalizer.