WEST HARTFORD, Conn. - The University of Hartford men's lacrosse team picked up their first home win of the 2025 season defeating Western Connecticut State University 14-4. 

Rapid Recap:

• The teams battled back and forth in the first quarter with Hartford finally jumping in front 1-0 after sophomore Michael Novotny (Cornwall, N.Y.) bested the Wolves keeper on an assist by freshman Gavin Pelletier (Southington, Conn.). Junior Andrew Leibold (Chula Vista, Calif.) kept the lead for the Hawks making four saves as Hartford held the 1-0 advantage. 
• West Conn would open the scoring in the second quarter with 10:23 to play in the half. The Hawks would answer as sophomore Nick Forgione (Denville, N.J.) found junior Aidan Kemp (South Orange, N.J.) for the score. Pelletier would follow with a goal of his own on an assist by sophomore Aidan Ezra (New Milford, Conn.). The lead would grow to 4-1 as Novotny picked up his second of the game on an assist by freshman Shaun Wright (Frederick, Md.). Tristan McMahon would cut into the lead scoring the second for the Wolves. Novotny continued to dominate with two more scores to end the first half scoring with Hartford leading 6-2. 
• The second half started with a bang as junior Tobias Ballestar (Westwood, N.J.) scored from the defense position with a rocket. Ezra kept the offense rolling for the Hawks as the lead pushed to 8-2 with 12:02 to play in the third. West Conn would get a goal back, but Kemp answered with two-consecutive goals as Hartford pushed the lead to 10-3 with 15 minutes to play. 
• Novotny continued to score getting his game-high fifth to open the fourth quarter. Graduate student Jake Ojert (Doylestown, Pa.) kept the offense rolling finding the cage on a feed from sophomore Ethan Hunt (Skaneateles, N.Y.). Ezra and Pelletier added second goals as the lead extended to 14-3. The Wolves would get one more goal with 2:07 to play, but Hartford picked up the first win of the 2025 season. 

Post Game Press:
"It feels really good to get this win", said junior Andrew Leibold (Chula Vista, Calif.). "It has been a rough start to the year with the close losses and you know after last Saturday it feels really good to get this done. We had a whole week to prepare for this one. All 40 guys on this team cared about this one and it was a big team win."

Inside The Numbers:

• Leibold stopped 19 shots in the win for the Hawks to also go with four grounders in his first win of the year in the cage.
• Novotny registered five goals for the Hawks to lead the charge. Kemp registered a hat-trick, while Ezra and Pelletier each added two goals and two assists apiece. 
• At the face off circle sophomore Ben Costanzo (Chester, Conn.) went an unreal 21-22 with nine ground balls. Sophomore Thomas Brunelli (Norwich, Conn.) added six grounders of his own. 

Up Next:
The Hawks will stay home and will host Skidmore College next Saturday with a 12:00 PM start. 

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