PROVIDENCE, R.I. - The Hartford women's lacrosse team came up just short in a tightly contested Conference of New England (CNE) match up, falling 16-15 to Johnson & Wales University on Wednesday afternoon. Despite a strong late push, the Hawks were unable to overcome a narrow deficit.

Rapid Recap:

• The Hawks and Wildcats traded momentum early, with both teams battling for possession through the opening minutes. The Wildcats struck first midway through the quarter, capitalizing on a free position opportunity before quickly adding another to cushion their lead. After trailing 2-0, sophomore Kate Zonin (North Smithfield, R.I.) responded for the Hawks, sparking a momentum shift as Hartford began to find its rhythm offensively. The Wildcats continued to apply the pressure, extending their advantage to 4-1. But Hartford answered with a late push, Zonin completed a hat trick in the opening frame, while junior Katie Graham (Colchester, Conn.) added one to even the score. All this before a last-second Wildcats goal made it 5-4 after one.
• JWU opened the second quarter strong, pushing its lead to now two while applying steady pressure. Graham answered on a man-up goal to chip away at their lead, but the Wildcats continued to control the pace and extended their lead 8-5. The Hawks closed the half with momentum, Zonin scored twice in the final minutes to cut into the differential 8-7 heading into halftime.
• The Hawks came out firing in the third, there were three lead changes in this quarter. Senior Sara Costa (Shrub Oak, N.Y.) buried a goal early to earn a tie just 48 seconds into play. JWU responded to regain the lead, but the Hawks continued to answer behind goals from Costa and junior Laurel McIntosh (West Kingston, R.I.). Zonin later gave Hartford an 11-10 edge, JWU closed the period on a 3-0 run to stall the Hawks, taking a 13-11 lead into the fourth.
• JWU extended its lead early in the fourth, but the Hawks in similar fashion to the previous quarter continued to fight back. Zonin and Graham each scored, with Graham converting on a man-up opportunity to bring the Hawks within one. The Wildcats chimed back with two key goals to create some necessary separation, but Hartford refused to back down. Late goals from Ingham and McIntosh cut it to one with seven seconds on the clock, but the comeback effort fell just short in a 16-15 final.

• Zonin led all scores with a standout seven goal performance along with one assist to take eight points on the afternoon, for an all-time career high for both goals and points. Graham added four points of her own with her three goals and one assist today. Costa and McIntosh shared three points each, nabbing two goals and one assist.
• Sophomore Emily Bussiere (Agawam, Mass.) made her presence felt with four caused turnovers.
• Junior Mandi Rivard (Vernon, Conn.) came up with 13 crucial saves throughout the contest, keeping the Hawks within striking distance into the final minutes.
• Riley Shepley for the Wildcats added five goals and two assists being a strong offensive asset for JWU.

Up Next:
The Hawks will compete again this upcoming Saturday, March 28th against Gordon College on the road with a start time of 12:00 p.m.

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