WEST HARTFORD, Conn. – The Hartford women's lacrosse team fell to Keene State College on Tuesday, 18-13. With the loss, the Hawks drop to 6-4 on the season while the Owls improve to 4-8 on the year.
 
KEENE STATE 18, HARTFORD 13
Hartford opened the scoring early as Meghan Smith notched the game's opening score just 28 seconds into the contest. However, Keene State would respond with a 6-1 run over the final minutes of the opening frame to take a 6-2 lead into the second quarter. The Hawks would find their stride in the second, outscoring the Owls 6-3 and cutting the deficit to 9-8 heading into the halftime break. Finding the back of the net for Hartford in the second was Lenaijah Ferguson, Emily Steele, Sara Costa, and Smith. 
 
Coming out for the second half of action, Keene State would regain its early momentum from the first, extending their slight advantage on the scoreboard to five goals heading into the fourth and final quarter. After the Owls scored two goals early in the fourth, the Hawks offense went on a roll, scoring three goals in the span of 51 seconds to cut the gap to 17-13 with 3:39 remaining in regulation. Fueling the Hartford run was Shelby Frashure who recorded her first career hat trick with two goals coming in the waning minutes of the game. Despite the late effort to mount a comeback the Keene State lead grew to be too much for the Hawks to overcome, eventually falling, 18-13.
 
INSIDE THE BOX & NOTES

• Three Hawks recorded hat tricks including Smith, Frashure, and Ferguson.
• Smith now owns sole possession of the program-record for goals in single season at 28 on the year.
• Olivia Wightman dished out her first career assist while Melanie Poland made her first career start.
• Hanna Ramsey (6-4) made nine saves in net for Hartford.
• Hartford as a team led Keene State in draw controls (23-12) with Lily Belle Baker and Emily Steele leading the team with nine and eight apiece. 

 
NEXT ON TAP
Hartford wraps-up its 2023 regular season on Tuesday, April 18, welcoming Southern Connecticut State to Al-Marzook Field at Alumni Stadium. Opening draw control between the Hawks and Owls is set for 4 p.m.