WEST HARTFORD, Conn. - The University of Hartford men's lacrosse team picked up their second win of this week defeating the University of Saint Joseph 11-6.

Rapid Recap:

• The opening period was a battle between the Hawks and the Blue Jays. Hartford was the team to get on the board first as graduate student Jake Ojert (Doylestown, Pa.) found the back of the net off a swift pass from sophomore Aidan Ezra (New Milford, Conn.), giving the Hawks an early 1-0 lead. The Blue Jays were quick to answer, capitalizing on an extra-man opportunity with a goal from Kevin Carr to nab the equalizer, 1-1. Hartford continued to apply pressure and stayed aggressive offensively with shots by sophomore Michael Novotny (Cornwall, N.Y.), but the Blue Jays goalie, Trey McCann held strong to keep the score 1-1 heading into the second period.
• The Hawks found their rhythm in this second period as Novotny was successful putting one away over the Blue Jays defense taking back the lead 2-1. USJ's Evan Baden used the man-up opportunity to find the back of the net for another equalizer in this match-up, 2-2 with 8:53 remaining. Ojert picked up his second goal of the game off a quick pass from junior Aidan Kemp (Orange, N.J.) to get back on top 3-2.  Ezra took over this period with a pair of back-to-back goals that showcased his skill. The first came off of a man-up opportunity and the second came after Hartford won the face-off and OJert made a pinpoint assist to Ezra, who buried his second goal within 40 seconds. The Hawks built off of Ezra's momentum as Kemp got a goal of his own just 37 seconds later, Hawks closed out the second 6-2.
• Ojert remained a constant threat for the Hawks as he netted his third goal in the opening five minutes of the third period to continue their scoring streak. The Blue Jays responded with two back-to-back goals to cut the deficit to just three, both goals coming from Baden. Kemp regained control of this match finding the back of the net off of a feed from Ezra, 8-4. The Blue Jays goalie was challenged in the final minutes of the period with Novotny, Ojert and freshman Gavin Pelletier (Southington, Conn.) took strong shots but Trey McCann held strong making key saves to keep USJ in this battle.. The Blue Jays Aidan D'Amato closed out the third with a goal with just 22 seconds on the board, now USJ trails just 8-5.
• Pelletier nabbed a goal of his own as Ojert was the Hawk to help him do it, building the differential to 9-5 with 12:49 to go. The two teams had big shots on net but both goalies were solid for the next six minutes as the intensity built on the field. Ezra was able to break through, extending their lead to now 10-5 again off the hands of Ojert. Matthew Wurszt for the Blue Jays quickly answered with a goal of his own at 4:33. In the final minutes sophomore Nick Forgione (Denville, N.J.) was the final Hawk to strike, capitalizing on a man-up opportunity and sealing the win for the Hawks this Saturday afternoon, 11-6.

Post Game Press:
"It was a great way to cap off non-conference play to garner some momentum heading into a tough conference schedule," said graduate student Jake Ojert (Doylestown, Pa.). "I am super proud of how everyone execute and supported one another against a great opponent, USJ."

Inside The Numbers:

• Ojert and Ezra finished this match-up with three goals each. Ojert nabbed seven points with four assists and three goals, totaling seven goals in the 2025 season so far. Ezra totaled five points with his three goals and two assists, clutching his tenth goal of this season.
• Kemp had two goals along with one assist. Forgione, Pelletier, and Novotony each had one goal in today's match-up.
• At the face off circle sophomore Ben Costanzo (Chester, Conn.) went 15-20 over the Blue Jays along with eight ground balls.

Up Next:
The Hawks will travel next to Bristol, R.I. to take on Roger Williams University Wednesday March 26th at 7:00 p.m.