BURLINGTON, VT ? The University of Hartford lacrosse team ended the 2007 season with a 20-12 loss at the University of Vermont on Saturday afternoon.

The Hawks (2-13 overall, 1-4 America East), who needed a win to stay in the running for the final spot in the upcoming America East Championship, led 6-3 after the first quarter but were outscored 17-6 over the remainder of the contest. Senior Jason Whitehouse netted a hat trick to lead the Hawks while freshmen Bryan Hale and Rob Steffens each added a pair of goals.

With the score tied at 2-2 midway through the first quarter, Hartford took control with four straight goals to take its biggest lead of the game at 6-2. Whitehouse scored the first and last of the four goals, with senior Tom Harris and junior Brian Tilley pitching in between.

Vermont, however, would score 10 of the next 12 goals to take a commanding 14-8 lead. The Catamounts scored the final three goals of the first half and the first four of the second half, until junior Chris Griffin snapped the streak by netting his first goal of the season with 6:29 to go in the third quarter.

Vermont outshot Hartford 53-41 and held a 51-28 edge in ground balls. The Hawks went 1-for-7 on extra-man opportunities while the Catamounts converted on both of their man-up chances.

Sophomore goalie Jon McMahon played the entire game and made a season-high 17 saves. Vermont goalie Daryl Swarts finished with 15 stops.