Hartford Wins Second Straight, Best Start Since '01
from press release
WEST HARTFORD, Conn. – The University of
Hartford men’s lacrosse team picked up its second-straight
victory when it soared to a 14-9 defeat of Bellarmine University on
Sunday afternoon at Al-Marzook Field at Alumni Stadium. With the
win, Hartford improves to 3-2 on the season, marking the
program’s best start since 2001 when it opened the season 4-1
after its first five games. Bellarmine, which took last
year’s contest in the first-ever meeting between the Hawks
and Knights, falls to 2-4.
After jumping out to a quick 2-0 start with three minutes off the
game clock, the Hawks, who never trailed in the contest, pushed
their lead to 6-2 after the first quarter. Hartford continued to
cushion its lead in the second quarter as it netted three scores to
Bellarmine’s one to take a commanding 9-3 advantage at the
half. The Knights went on to outscore the home team 6-5 in the
final 30 minutes but were only able to come within five goals of
the Hawks.
Sophomore Rory Nunamacher joined juniors Aidan Genik, Martin Bowes
and Carter Bender in leading the Hartford offense with two goals
apiece. Junior Ryan Compitello reached the back of the net once and
dished out four assists for a game-best five points. Also
contributing to the scoring with their first collegiate goals were
rookies Adam Yee and Andrew Cacchio. Austin Bright scored two goals
to lead the Knights.
Bowes’ fifth goal of the season less than three minutes after
opening face-off gave the Hawks an early lead that they would hold
on to for the remainder of the game. Following the junior’s
goal, senior Tim Fallon won his face-off and outraced the Knights
to the cage, delivering the Hawks’ second goal of the
afternoon just six seconds later.
Bellarmine halved Hartford’s lead at the 9:59 mark with
Bright’s first of two scores however the Hawks responded with
two-straight goals out of the sticks of Bender and Genik to take a
4-1 lead. Following another Knights’ goal with 5:05 to play
in the first, Hartford turned up the heat netting four of its own
while keeping the visitors scoreless for a span of 14:19 to take
the 8-2 advantage. The Knights and Hawks traded goals to close out
the half with Hartford holding a 9-3 lead.
Genik opened the third quarter with his second goal to increase the
Hawks’ lead to 10-3, their largest of the game. Andrew
Bulgarelli and Devin Peurach hooked up with 5:09 remaining in the
quarter to bring Bellarmine within five goals of the Hawks however
Yee's first collegiate goal, assisted by Vinny Pellizzi, closed out
the third and again boosted the Hartford advantage to six goals at
12-6.
The Knights again closed in on the Hawks' lead in the fourth
quarter as Bright fired one in just two minutes into the final
period but Bender and Bowes struck again at the 8:56 and 5:48
marks, respectively, to keep the game out of reach and prevent any
hopes of a comeback.
The Hawks dominated their opponents in nearly every statistical
category winning 16-of-27 battles at the face-off X while scooping
up 47 ground balls to the Knights’ 38. Hartford was
successful on 27-of-31 clear opportunities and converted on 1-of-4
man-up situations. In goal, Frank Piechota recorded 10saves on 41
shots faced while Bellarmine's Scott Bowles and Dill Ward split
time, each stopping six shots.
Hartford continues its non-conference slate with a match-up at
Bucknell on Wednesday, March 16, marking the first-ever meeting
between the Hawks and Bison. Game time is scheduled for 12:00
noon.
