Hartford Comeback Falls Short vs. Binghamton
from press release
WEST HARTFORD, Conn. – The University of
Hartford men’s lacrosse team erased a 7-1 deficit in the
second quarter, but could not complete a come back from a four goal
disadvantage late in the contest and fell to the Binghamton
Bearcats by a final of 13-12 on Saturday afternoon on Senior Day at
Al-Marzook Field.
Binghamton picked up its first win the America East and improves
to 4-9 overall with a mark of 1-3 in the league. Hartford remains
winless in conference play at 0-4 and falls to 3-10 on the
season.
Facing a 7-1 deficit with 9:40 remaining in the second quarter,
the Hawks clawed back and closed out the first half with
five-straight goals and added the game tying mark to the scoreboard
just 16 seconds into the third quarter. The Bearcats answered by
stringing together four goals of their own to once again take a
commanding lead at 11-7. The Hawks went on to score five of the
final seven goals of the contest and came within one goal of
Binghamton at 13-12, but were unable to find the back of the net
for the equalizer in the final 3:14.
Junior Tim Fallon had a career day for the Hawks with his first
career hat trick. The junior dominated the face-off X, winning 22
of 28 duels while scooping up a game- and career-high 16 ground
balls. Vinny Pellizzi and Carter Bender each netted a pair of goals
and Pellizzi added an assist on the afternoon.
Freshman Matt Springer notched six points on four goals and two
assists to lead Binghamton while Andy Cook scored three times.
Binghamton came out of the gates on fire, scoring four-straight
goals in the opening nine minutes of the game. Cook struck twice
during the rally while Springer capped the Bearcats’ run with
his goal at the 5:01 mark.
Austin Rogers got the Hawks on the scoreboard with 3:42 remaining
in the first quarter with his first goal this season however
Binghamton responded with three more scores by Jeff Rurey, Springer
and Tyler Perrelle to open the second to boost their squad’s
lead to 7-1.
Bender’s unassisted score with 6:24 to play in the half
sparked a Hartford scoring streak that produced six consecutive
goals, five of which came in the third quarter. Kevin Whelan and
Pellizzi reached the back of the net for the first time this season
at 5:33 and 3:22, respectively, to bring the Hawks back in the game
at 7-4.
Martin Bowes, who assisted on Whelan’s goal, netted his
sixth goal of 2010 at the 2:36 mark and Aidan Genik followed with
his unassisted score with 1:02 to play in the period to bring the
Hawks within one goal at 7-6.
Just 16 seconds into the third stanza, Fallon’s first goal
of 2010 knotted the score for the first time since the opening
face-off at 7-7. The face-off specialist won the quarter’s
opening draw, and maneuvered around the Bearcats’ defenders
down the field to net the equalizer.
The Bearcats once again responded and built a four goal lead over
the next 13 minutes of the third period. Binghamton’s final
score of the rally was followed by a Hartford penalty putting the
squad down a player however Fallon once again took control at the
face-off X and went the distance for his second goal of the
game.
With the Bearcats up 11-8 entering the final stanza, Springer and
Perrelle each struck again at 9:31 and 8:47 to put their squad up
by five goals with 8:47 remaining.
Hartford managed to reel off four-straight goals, beginning with
Leif Abrahamson’s first goal this season followed by scores
by Fallon, Bender and Pellizzi, to come within one goal of
Binghamton at 13-12. Over the final 3:14, the Hawks saw four
chances to put the game tying notch on the scoreboard but were
unable to find the back of the net.
Jordan Marra turned away 13 Hartford shots, including the
potential game-tying goal, for the Bearcats. Sophomore Scott Bement
recorded six saves on the afternoon.
Hartford seniors Abrahamson and Justin Bearse played their final
home game on Al-Marzook Field on Saturday and were honored prior to
the start of the contest. Abrahamson has played in 39 career games
for the scarlet and white. The midfielder has netted seven career
goals. Bearse, a two-year captain, has seen time in 52 games while
making 41 starts. The attackman has tallied 73 points over four
seasons, including 48 goals and 25 assists.
The Hawks have been eliminated from the America East playoff race
following today’s loss and UMBC’s overtime victory over
Vermont earlier this afternoon. Hartford wraps up the regular
season at UMBC on Saturday, May 1 at noon. The game will be
televised on ESPNU. Last season, the Hawks posted a historic win
over the Retrievers who were ranked sixth in the nation.
