McGetrick Wins in Return to Hartford
from press release
WEST HARTFORD, Conn. – The University of
Hartford lacrosse team suffered an 8-7 loss to Bellarmine
University on Saturday afternoon on the rain soaked turf of
Al-Marzook Field.
Bellarmine (4-3) scored three goals in the opening 10 minutes of
the contest forcing Hartford (1-4) to utilize the remainder of the
first stanza as well as the second quarter to claw back from the
early deficit. Hartford knotted the score at 4-4 heading into the
halftime break, but it was the Knights who outscored the Hawks 4-3
over the final 30 minutes.
Five Hawks scored a goal in the contest, led by sophomores Aidan
Genik and Carter Bender. Genik netted two goals while Bender
notched three points on a pair of goals and one helper. Despite the
downfall, Hartford dominated Bellarmine in nearly every statistical
category, outshooting its opponents by a margin of 44-30 and
scooping 40 ground balls to the Knights’ 24. The Hawks also
won the battle at the face-off X with junior Tim Fallon winning14
of 17 duels. Fallon also finished with 12 ground balls, tying a
career-high.
Down 3-0, Martin Bowes put Hartford on the scoreboard with 3:04
remaining in the first period. Bellarmine netted its fourth goal of
the contest just 27 seconds into the second stanza but the Hawks
countered with three of their own sparked by a pair of unassisted
scores by Bender. Genik capped the Hawks’ run that spanned
over nine minutes when he connected with Michael Cudmore, evening
the score at 4-4 at the half.
Bellarmine opened the third with an unassisted score by
Bellarmine’s Chase Williams to give the visitors the edge
however freshman Jared Franze struck back with his 12th goal of the
season. Bellarmine and Hartford exchanged goals once again as Shane
Andersen and Cudmore found the back of the net, sending the game
into the fourth quarter at a 6-6 deadlock.
Genik opened the fourth quarter with his team-best 14th goal,
giving Hartford its only lead at 7-6 with 13:47 to play. The
Hawks’ lead was short lived however as Sean Doyle tied the
score at 8-8 mid-way through the period and followed up with the
game winner with 3:39 remaining.
With hopes of sending the game into overtime, Hartford managed to
fire out four shots on goal, all of which were turned away by
Bellarmine goalie Scott Bowles.
Sophomore Scott Bement logged his fourth complete game between the
pipes, making 10 stops. Bowles made the start in goal for the
Knights and recorded 16 saves.
This afternoon’s match-up served as a homecoming for
Bellarmine head coach Jack McGetrick who spent 11 seasons as the
Hawks’ head coach. The 1997 NCAA Coach of the Year is
Hartford’s winningest lacrosse coach in the program’s
Division I history, posting 87 victories including eight seasons
with a .500 or better record.
Last year, McGetrick was diagnosed with prostate cancer. Half of
the proceeds from today’s game – a total of $2,362
– were donated to the “Everyone Works for Jack”
fund, a campaign that has been ignited by collegiate lacrosse
coaches across the country to help alleviate McGetrick’s
costly medical bills as well as other lacrosse coaches who are in
financial need.
The Hawks return to action on Wednesday, March 17 when they
welcome the Holy Cross Crusaders to West Hartford for a St.
Patrick’s Day battle. Game time is slated for 3:30 p.m.
