BOX SCORE

BURLINGTON, VT - The University of Hartford lacrosse team opened the America East schedule with an 8-7 loss at the University of Vermont on Saturday afternoon.

Neither team led by more than two goals the entire game. Hartford (0-8 overall, 0-1 AE) and Vermont (4-4 overall, 1-0 AE) entered the final quarter tied at 5-5, but it was the Catamounts who outscored the Hawks 3-2 over the final 15 minutes.

Six Hawks scored a goal in the contest, led by two from freshman Ryan Compitello. Geoff Worley and Derek Lichtfuss each netted a pair of goals for the Catamounts. Vermont held a 38-25 advantage in shots. Freshman Scott Bement made a career-high 19 saves in goal for Hartford.

Vermont scored first to take an early lead, but the Hawks answered back with unassisted scores by freshman Austin Rogers and sophomore Michael Cudmore to take their only lead at 2-1 with 3:57 remaining in the first quarter. Lichtfuss pulled the Catamounts even at 2-2 with five seconds to go in the period.

Vermont outscored Hartford 3-1 in the second stanza to take a 5-3 lead into the halftime intermission. The Hawks countered by shutting out the Catamounts in the third quarter, as Bement turned away all six shots on goal. Hartford also scored two goals in the period, a man-up goal from senior Jacob Eustice followed by a game-tying goal from freshman Carter Bender.

Compitello scored both of his goals in the final quarter but it wasn't enough. Worley scored the game-winning goal with 6:29 to play to put the Catamounts up 8-6. Compitello's final goal came with 3:03 left on the clock, though the Hawks couldn't muster another goal to send the game into overtime.

Hartford will next play at Albany on Wednesday, April 1 at 7:00 p.m.