Hartford Hawks Men’s Lacrosse were defeated 12- 11 by Wheaton College on Friday
First Period
The Hawks home opener was a back and forth battle from the beginning, as both teams traded goals in the first fifteen minutes of action. Hawks sophomore attacker Michael Novotny recorded his first collegiate goal just one minute and fourteen seconds into the game. Novotny would not have to wait long for his second collegiate goal, as just 49 seconds later, the sophomore out of Cornell, New York, scored his second goal to give the Hawks a 2-0 lead. Not to be outdone, Wheaton’s Charlie Goodrich scored two goals of his own as the Lyons kept the game close for the remainder of the first period. The score after fifteen minutes being 4-3 Hartford.
Second Period
With a 4-3 Lead, Hawks midfielder Aidan Ezra scored twice in the second period, as the Hawks increased their lead to 2 goals. Emmett Edwards scored three of Wheaton’s 4 goals in the second period, as Wheaton and Hartford battled in a second period that would see both goalies make a combined five saves against eight goals. Entering halftime, the Hawks narrowly held on to an 8-7 lead.
Third Period
Michael Novonty replicated his performance from the first period, scoring two goals within three minutes of the second half to give the Hawks a 10-7 lead, their largest of the afternoon. The Lyons went on a 5-0 run in the remainder of the 3rd period, with five different players scoring. Charlie Goodrich, Theo Stamatel, Emmitt Edwards, Mitch Tepedino, and Jack Board each scored as Wheaton secured their first lead of the day, entering the fourth period with a 12-10 lead.
Fourth Period
Down two in the fourth, Hartford’s Jake Ojert scored his first goal of the afternoon to cut the Lyons lead to one with 7 minutes remaining. While the Hawks had 8 shots in the 4th period, Wheaton goalie Connor Almstrom made four saves, shutting down the Hawks attack as the Lyons held on to win 12-11.
Hawks goalie CJ Ledwick finished with 17 saves and 12 goals allowed, as the Hawks fall to 0-1 on the season. Hartford returns to action on Wednesday afternoon at St. Joseph’s University in the Battle of West Hartford.
