WEST HARTFORD, Conn. — Taking Al-Marzook Field for its season opener on Friday afternoon, the Hartford women's lacrosse team mounted a second-half comeback, but came up short to St. Bonaventure, 16-8. Junior Kaitlyn D'Andrea netted a hat trick to pace the Hawks (0-1), while classmate Megan Miller had a solid all-around effort with one goal, two assists and five ground balls.
 
Destinee Johnson delivered five goals to lead all scorers with seven points for the Bonnies (0-1), who also received six points (4 goals, 2 assists) from Ashle7 Easterday.
 
ST. BONAVENTURE 16, HARTFORD 8
The Bonnies struck first less than four minutes into the game before Miller delivered Hartford's first goal of the season just 23 seconds later. But St. Bonaventure heated up, delivering five straight goals before ending the half with a 3-2 spurt to go up at the break, 9-3.
 
Out of the break, the Hawks turned up the offense, slashing their six-goal halftime deficit in half (9-6) within the first four minutes by burying three straight goals from Jillian Westerby, Shannon Tuozzo and D'Andrea. Hartford pulled within three two more times, but with the score in favor of St. Bonaventure, 11-8, with 12:57 to go, Easterday roped three-straight goals to spark a game-ending 5-0 run for the Bonnies. 
 
PHOTO GALLERY

INSIDE THE BOX & NOTES

• Sophomore Emma Privitera, who started the second half in goal for the Hawks, registered four saves
• Earning the start in the cage, Hanna Ramsey had six ground balls and three saves in her Hartford debut
• Netting her first career hat trick, D'Andrea's five points were also a career high
• Rookies Tuozzo and Westerby recorded their first career goals in the defeat
• St. Bonaventure goalie Savannah Clarke came away with a game-high seven saves
• The meeting marked the first for Hartford and St. Bonaventure, and the first team that the Hawks have faced from the Patriot League since their inaugural season in 2018

 
NEXT ON TAP
The turnaround is quick for the Hawks, as they hit the road for the first time this season on Sunday to face Boston University. First draw from Nickerson Field is set for noon.

---

For more information on the Hartford women's lacrosse team, stay with HartfordHawks.com for updates and follow the team on social media (Twitter| Facebook| Instagram).