WEST HARTFORD, Conn. – The University of Hartford men's lacrosse team fell at home on Saturday losing to Skidmore College by a 17-8 final. 
 
Rapid Recap:

• The Thoroughbreds took the early lead getting the first goal three minutes into the game. Sophomore Aidan Ezra (New Milford, Conn.) tied the game with 3:17 to play in the first on an assist by freshman Shaun Wright (Frederick, Md.). Junior Andrew Leibold (Chula Vista, Calif.) made two huge saves to keep the score 1-1 after the first quarter. 
• The Hawks would get the lead to kick off the second as junior Tobias Ballestar (Westwood, N.J.) scored from midfield as the Thoroughbreds were pressing. Wright followed things up scoring on a wrap around as Hartford led 3-1 with 7:56 to play in the half. Skidemore would rally scoring the next three to jump in front 4-3 over four minutes. Sophomore Nick Forgione (Denville, N.J.) answered with a power-play strike on a feed from graduate student Jake Ojert (Doylestown, Pa.) to even the score again at 4-4. The Thoroughbreds would take the lead scoring twice in the final minute to lead 6-4 into half. 
• In the third quarter Skidmore kept the momentum scoring four times over the opening four minutes to extend the lead to six. Sophomore Jack Hart (Grafton, Mass.) would get the next score for Hartford, but the Thoroughbreds would extend the lead to 12-5 headed into the fourth. 
• The Thoroughbreds continued to scored pushing the lead to 14-5 before Wright scored on an assist from sophomore Michael Novotny (Cornwall, N.Y.). Skidmore would tack on three more before junior Eric Kelly (Stamford, Conn.) and Wright would close the scoring with a goal apiece as the Hawks fell 17-8. 

Inside The Numbers:

• Wright registered three goals to go with an assist to lead the offense. Novotny tallied two assists to lead the passing attack.
• Tobias Ballester (Westwood, N.J.) would get the goal and three ground balls, while senior Nick DiDomizio (Cheshire, Conn.) caused a turnover in the loss. 
• In the cage Leibold made eight saves for Hawks in the first 33 minutes. Sophomore CJ Ledwick (Falmouth, Mass.) would come in relief and stop three shots. 
• Michael Aiello would lead Skidmore with six points on five goals and an assist. 

Up Next:
Hartford will head to Virginia to take on Marymount University on March 19th at 4:00 PM. 

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