WEST HARTFORD, CT ? The University of Hartford lacrosse team dropped its America East opener to the University of Vermont by a 7-5 final on Saturday afternoon at Al-Marzook Field.

Hartford (0-9 overall, 0-1 America East) rallied late in the fourth quarter to cut a four-goal deficit in half but couldn't get any closer. Senior Brian Tilley led the Hawks with a pair of scores. Vermont (2-7 overall, 1-0 America East) got two goals from Liam Thomas and 18 saves in goal from Justin Lubas to secure the victory.

The Catamounts scored the game's first three goals to jump out to a quick lead. It wasn't until the final minute of the first quarter that the Hawks got on the board thanks to Tilley's first goal. Vermont, however, scored the only two goals of the second quarter to take a 5-1 lead into the halftime intermission. Thomas scored both of his goals in the first half.

Tilley netted his second goal of the contest on an extra-man advantage with 7:10 to play in the third quarter, cutting the score to 5-2. Vermont, however, answered with a goal from Derek Lichtfuss with 2:59 remaining in the stanza.

The Catamounts took the 6-2 lead into the final quarter. Senior Tom Harris got the Hawks going with a score at the 13:31 mark, but Vermont's Tommy Archer matched the Hawks with a goal 90 seconds later.

Hartford got back into the game with a pair of quick scores, as freshman Vinny Pellizzi and sophomore Justin Bearse each scored within 30 seconds of each other to cut the deficit to 7-5. Vermont called timeout to regroup, and the strategy paid off?the Catamounts kept possession in their own offensive end and ran down the clock. Lubas was also big down the stretch, making three saves in a row during one sequence as the Hawks attacked the cage.

Hartford outshot Vermont 34-31 and held a 34-27 advantage in ground balls. Junior Jon McMahon finished the game with 14 saves in goal for the Hawks.

Hartford will next host the University at Albany on Saturday, April 5 at Al-Marzook Field. Game time is set for 1 p.m.