WEST HARTFORD, CT ? The University of Hartford lacrosse team suffered a 14-11 defeat to the University at Albany on Saturday afternoon at Al-Marzook Field.

Hartford (0-10 overall, 0-2 America East) found the back of the cage a season-high 11 times but couldn't slow down Albany's attack in the first half. The Great Danes (4-5 overall, 2-0 America East) outscored the Hawks 12-8 over the first 30 minutes behind seven goals from Brian Caufield.

Freshman Rob Nosworthy led the Hartford attack with his first career hat trick. Senior Brian Tilley and sophomore Justin Bearse also recorded two goals and an assist apiece. Caufield also added a pair of assists for Albany to finish with nine points while Jordan Levine and Corey Small netted a pair of goals each.

Albany scored four goals in the first five minutes to jump out to a 4-1 lead. The teams then traded two goals each, with Nosworthy and classmate Tim Fallon each scoring their first career collegiate goals. The Great Danes ended the quarter with two goals in the final 40 seconds, though the Hawks snuck one in with under a second to play and trailed 7-4.

Caufield, who had three goals in the opening stanza, scored Albany's first four goals of the second quarter. His final goal came with 5:09 to play in the half and gave the Great Danes an 11-6 advantage. Hartford battled back to cut the deficit to four by the intermission, as Nosworthy netted his second goal while Bearse scored with eight seconds to go. Albany led 12-8 at the break.

After the high-scoring first half, the teams slowed things down for the second half. Hartford outscored Albany 3-2 over the final 30 minutes and pulled to within two at 13-11 on a score by Tilley with 4:10 remaining in the game. The Great Danes, however, were able to run down the clock and added an empty-net goal to seal the victory.

Junior goalkeeper Jon McMahon made 12 saves in goal for the Hawks. Brett Queener made the start for Albany and made one stop in the first half before handing things over to Dan McKeon (six saves) for the second stanza.

The Great Danes held advantages in shots (36-31) and ground balls (37-34). The Hawks converted on the only extra-man opportunity of the game.

Hartford will next play at Stony Brook University on Saturday, April 12 at 7 p.m.