WEST HARTFORD, Conn. — The Hartford women's lacrosse team got off to a hot start, but fell to Vermont in its 2021 season opener on Al-Marzook Field Thursday. Sophomore Shannon Tuozzo netted her first career hat trick to pace the offense, while freshman Kya Risher registered 10 saves for the Hawks (0-0, 0-0 AE) in her debut. 
 
Ava Vasile netted five goals to pace all scorers and lead Vermont to a 1-0 start. The contest also marked both teams' America East opener.
 
PHOTO GALLERY

VERMONT 17, HARTFORD 10
After helping the Hawks take a quick 2-0 lead with her first goal of the game at the 26:51 mark, Tuozzo tacked on two more scores to make it a 4-1 advantage just over eight minutes in. But Vermont clawed back by scoring five unanswered goals to take its first lead of the game, 6-4, with 17:10 left in the opening half.
 
Sophomore Tiana Vazquez would end the Catamounts' run and cut the deficit to one with her first goal of the game, before momentum shifted back in favor of Vermont. Ending the half with a pair of scores to take an 8-5 lead into the break, the Catamounts extended their lead to 13-6 and put the game out of reach by scoring five of the first six goals of the second.
 
INSIDE THE BOX & NOTES

• Four Hawks found the back of the net, as Vazquez joined Tuozzo with a multi-goal outing with a pair of scores
• Tuozzo added an assist to her total for a career-high four points
• Junior Suzanna Cantwell led Hartford with four ground balls
• Vermont held a 36-15 edge in shots and a 29-19 advantage in ground balls
• The draw control battle was tight, with the Catamounts finishing with the advantage at 14-11
• Jackie Shipp made four saves in goal for Vermont to earn the win

 
NEXT ON TAP
Hartford hits the road for its next game on Saturday, March 13, when it heads to UMBC. The Hawks and Retrievers are slated for an 11 a.m. start.