BOX SCORE
Providence, R.I. – The University of Hartford lacrosse team could not hold on to a fourth quarter lead and suffered a heartbreaking 13-12 overtime loss to the Brown Bears on Wednesday afternoon at Meister-Kavan Field. Hartford drops to 1-3 overall with the loss while the Bears improve to 1-1 with the win.
In a battle that saw the lead change hands four times, Brown used a pair of fourth quarter goals to even the score at 12-12 with 3:04 remaining in regulation. David Hawley spoiled Hartford's chance of pulling off the upset when he netted the game-winner two minutes into the extra period.
The Hawks held a commanding 5-2 advantage over the Bears in the first quarter. Brown roared back with a five-goal second stanza of its own, sending Hartford into the halftime break trailing 7-6. Hartford again outscored its opponents 5-2 in the third stanza but only managed one goal in the final quarter, allowing the Bears to claw back into the contest.
Aidan Genik led the Hawks for the second consecutive game, tallying four goals and dishing out a pair of assists for a season-best six points. The sophomore has notched six career hat tricks, including his second in four games. Senior Justin Bearse scored three times, while Sean King and Jared Franze each contributed with a pair of goals. Sophomore Ryan Compitello notched four points on one goal and a team-best three assists.
Hartford got on the scoreboard but Brown knotted the score at 1-1 in the opening four minutes of the contest. The Hawks recovered with three-straight goals of their own as Sean King started the rally with his first goal of the season. Genik scored on a pass from Compitello and Bearse struck again on a man-up opportunity with 5:17 remaining in the quarter, capping a three-goal run over a span of five minutes. The teams then traded goals in the final two minutes of the stanza, putting the score at 5-2 in favor of Hartford.
The Bears opened the second quarter on fire, taking their first lead of the game on four goals in the first eight minutes of the stanza. Hartford tied the game at 6-6 with 3:48 remaining in the half as freshman Jared Franze netted an unassisted goal. Brown regained the lead with less than two minutes to play in the half as David Hawley's score gave the Bears a 7-6 advantage heading into the halftime break.
The lead changed hands again early in the third as goals by Genik and King put Hartford at an 8-7 advantage. Genik's score came with 13:52 remaining in the quarter while King's followed just 46 seconds later. Brown leveled the score at 8-8 before Nicholas Laster gave Brown the lead back with 5:24 remaining. Hartford closed out the third with three-straight scores by Bearse, Compitello and Genik, grabbing an 11-9 advantage heading into the fourth.
Brown was first to score in the final quarter at the 13:44 mark, cutting the Hartford lead to 11-10. Genik's fourth goal on the afternoon doubled the Hawks' advantage to two goals.
Despite holding a 12-10 advantage, Bears' senior Reade Seligman drew Brown to within a goal with 8:22 remaining and Feinberg knotted the score, 12-12.. The Hawks saw three chances to score in the final 1:35 of regulation as Franze, Compitello and Nunamacher each had looks at the goal however each attempt was wide, sending the contest into overtime.
Brown outshot Hartford 53-28 and held a slight 33-32 advantage in ground balls. Hartford won the battle at the face-off X as Tim Fallon went 17 of 29. Fallon also scooped up a game-best eight ground balls. Scott Bement logged his third complete game in goal, making 14 stops while Brown's Matt Chriss saves eight shots.
Hartford will be back in action on Saturday, March 13, welcoming Jack McGetrick and his Bellarmine Knights to Al-Marzook Field for a 1:00 opening face-off.
McGetrick, who was recently diagnosed with prostate cancer, spent 11 seasons with as head coach of the Hawks and is the winningest lacrosse coach in the program's Division I history. Half of the proceeds raised from Saturday's game will be donated to McGetrick to help alleviate the cost of his treatment which is uncovered by insurance. To purchase tickets, visit www.hartfordhawkstickets.com or call the Malcolm and Brenda Berman Athletics Box Office at 860-768-HAWK.
