The Hartford Hawks Men’s Lacrosse Team defeated Conference of New England Rivals Roger Williams 7-6 in a stunning come from behind performance.
Hartford got out to an 2-0 lead in the first period of action with goals from Shaun Wright and Michael Novotny, meanwhile reigning CNE Defensive Player of the Week and Hawks goalie CJ Ledwick would make four saves, blanking Roger Williams through the first fifteen minutes of action.
Roger Williams would respond and take over in the second period, as they scored three consecutive goals to position themselves with a 3-2 lead. However, with 5:27 remaining in the second, Gavin Pelletier rifled one in the back of the net to bring the game to 3-3, the third tie score of the contest.
Hartford and Roger Williams would score one goal each in the third period, with Jake Ojert giving Hartford a 4-3 lead before Roger Williams’ Jack Kester tied the game with four seconds remaining. Ledwick made five saves in the third, keeping Hartford in the game, with a 4-4 score entering the fourth quarter.
Roger Williams carried their momentum from Kester’s goal in the fourth period, as Malcolm Steegstra and Brady Lee each scored to put RWU in front 6-4. Despite six shots in the first twelve minutes of action, Hartford couldn’t find the back of the net. However, Maxton McPhee’s goal with 2:12 remaining cut Roger Williams’ lead to 6-5, and Hartford took over. Aidan Ezra scored with 1:31 remaining to the game at 6-6, with an assist coming from Pelletier. Just under a minute later, Ezra returned the favor, setting up Pelletier for a low shot that passed RWU’s goalie Aaron D’Aversa, and gave the Hawks a 7-6 lead with 38 seconds remaining.
After the final buzzer, the Hawks stormed the field to celebrate with the goalscorers Ezra and Pelletier, as Hartford improved to 4-4 on the season, and increased their win streak to three consecutive.
Hartford returns to action on Saturday, March 29th, to take on Endicott College, the game is expected to start at 12:00 on Al-Marzook Field
