Men's Lacrosse Falls at Home, 10-7, to Hartford Saturday Afternoon

WEST HARTFORD, Conn. – The University of Saint Joseph (USJ) men's lacrosse team concluded its non-conference portion of the 2023 season, falling at home against crosstown foes the University of Hartford Hawks, 10-7, Saturday afternoon on the USJ Lacrosse Field in West Hartford, Conn.

GAME INFORMATION
Score: Hartford 10, Saint Joseph 7
Records: Hartford 3-0, USJ 5-4
Location: USJ Lacrosse Field | West Hartford, Conn.

After both offenses trade chances in the opening minutes, USJ gained the advantage as senior midfielder Benjamin Green (Chelmsford, Conn.) received a great pass from freshman Nick Pestrichello (Wethersfield, Conn.) before firing his shot into the net, giving the Blue Jays a 1-0 lead at the 11:15 mark. Senior Evan Baden (Burlington, Conn.) increased the lead to 2-0 minutes later after a solo effort at the 6:59 mark. However, the Hawks fired back with two unanswered goals, sending the game into the second quarter tied at 2-2.

Pestrichello quickly swung the lead back in USJ's favor, 3-2, finding the back of the net at the 12:33 mark. Sophomore Christian Decker (Bristol, Conn.) made it 4-2 moments later, getting a pass from Baden before rifling his shot into the net during a man-up scenario at the 9:33 mark. The Hawks would not go down easy, cutting the gap to 4-3, but Baden picked out the corner of the goal with a perfect shot, increasing the lead back to two, 5-3, with 4:35 left in the half. However, Hartford quickly levelled the score at 5-5, but Baden again took a pass from Decker, before completing his hattrick, giving USJ the lead, 6-5, in the final minute of the half.

The Hawks took the advantage in the third quarter, scoring two unanswered goals to hold a 7-6 edge with 6:43 on the clock. Pestrichello did not let the lead last long, driving to the goal before firing a shot into the net, sending the game tied at 7-7 heading into the fourth quarter. It would be the Hawks though that scored three goals in the fourth, keeping USJ off the scoreboard as Hartford took home a 10-7 victory.

GOALIE BREAKDOWN

HARTFORD – Andrew Leibold picked up the win for Hartford (1-0) playing the entire second half, allowing one goal while tallying eight saves. Cole Zering played the opening half, allowing six goals while making five saves.

USJ – Senior Trey McCann (Simsbury, Conn.) played all 60 minutes in net for USJ, picking up the loss (5-4) after allowing 10 goals while making 15 saves.

UP NEXT
The Blue Jays remain at home, hosting Emmanuel College in Great Northeast Athletic Conference play on Tuesday, March 28. Start time against the Saints is set for 4:00 p.m. on the USJ Lacrosse Field.

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