WEST HARTFORD, Conn.  - The University of Hartford men's lacrosse team kicked off post-conference play as they hosted #6 Nichols College, the Hawks dominated and finished the day off victorious in a 12-6 finish. The Hawks are now off to the second round of Conference of New England (CNE) tournament.

Rapid Recap:

• The Hawks applied the pressure early forcing turnovers from the Bison to set the tone, sophomore Nick Ugolini (Agawam, Mass.) used his speed to claim the first goal of the match-up in the first five minutes of play. Both teams tested goalies putting together promising set pieces but were unable to convert as we moved through the first. That was until the final five minutes as the Hawks put together two goals to push their lead to three over the Bison with goals from junior Nick Forgione (Denville, N.J.) and junior Michael Novotny (Cornwall, N.Y.). The Bison did not run silent in the first as they had the last answer with a last minute goal from Shea Ullo finishing with 14 seconds on the clock. The Hawks led 3-1 moving into the second.
• The Bison found some success early in the second with quick goals to open finding the back of the net in transition to sit the score even at 3-3 just in the first three minutes of action. The Hawks were unaffected by the Bison surge and responded with a five-goal unanswered power streak to close out this quarter. Nichols struggled to maintain possession and were unable to build anything dangerous to cut into the Hawks differential. The Hawks continued to lead now more comfortably at 8-3.
• The Hawks used their momentum from the second to open with another goal now from junior Collin Reilly (Southington, Conn.) off an assist from Novotny. The Hawks ran into some penalty trouble as graduate student Nick DiDomizio (Cheshire, Conn.) was provided a slashing penalty to provide the Bison an extra-man opportunity. Yet the Hawks stood tall and forced key turnovers to stall for DiDomizio's return. DiDomizio made up for his early penalty as he closed out the third taking the ball coast to coast marching up the field to find the back of the net and get the crowd off their feet for a defender goal. The Hawks carry an 11-3 lead as they push into the final quarter. 
• With a eight-point lead over the Bison, the Hawks needed to be smart and patient in this fourth quarter. The Bison were able to convert on a man-up and man-down opportunity attempting to bring down the Hawks lead, opening with three consecutive goals. The Hawks remained calm and squashed their push with a goal from junior Aidan Ezra (New Milford, Conn.) with an assist from sophomore Gavin Pelletier (Southington, Conn.). The Hawks continued to test the Bison's keep Carter Renaud and applied the pressure. Despite late attempts from the Bison, the Hawks did enough work in the first three quarters to take this win without concern. Final score stood at 12-6 and Hartford moves on to the second round.

Post Game Press: 
"We started a bit slow today, trying to figure things out, but then Coach (Ryan Martin) brought us together in the huddle and reminded us we are playing for one more game together," said graduate student Nick DiDomizio (Cheshire, Conn.).  "So from then we started to play as unit and playing together, then as the time went we just put the puzzle pieces together to collect goals."

Inside The Numbers:

• DiDomizio was a standout Hawk today holding down the defense with two caused turnovers, picked up one ground ball and collecting his first goal of the season. 
• Reilly led the offense today with four goals along with picking up one ground ball. Novotny came in just behind with two goals and two assists.
• Sophomore Ian Reynolds (Queensbury, N.Y.) went 4-11 in the faceoff picking up three ground balls. The Costanzo brothers came in for some relief as junior Ben Costanzo (Chester, Conn.) finished at 2-6 with one ground bal and freshman Cam Costanzo (Chester, Conn.) went 2-5 with one ground ball as well.
• In net, junior CJ Ledwick (Falmouth, Mass.) took the win and put up eight saves on the day playing all of the 60 minutes.

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