FINAL SCORE: Vermont 13, Hartford 4
WEST HARTFORD, Conn. – The Vermont Catamounts held the Hartford Hawks scoreless until the 8:16 mark of the third quarter to cruise to a 13-4 victory at Al-Marzook Field in America East men's lacrosse action on Saturday.
 
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Vermont moves into third place in the America East standings with a 3-2 mark and moves to 7-7 overall. UVM's seven wins marks the most under head coach Ryan Curtis, who is in his 10th year at the helm of the Catamounts.
 
Hartford, which entered the game riding a five-game win streak, falls to 9-5 overall and 3-2 in league play.
 
The Catamounts jumped on the Hawks, who were celebrating Senior Day, quickly. Matt Gudas gave Vermont a 2-0 lead after one quarter of play. Gudas scored his fourth goal of the season 59 seconds into the contest and added his second tally of the day at the 7:43 mark of the period.
 
The Hawks had their chances, hitting the pipe a couple of times, but Jon Kaplan was able to keep them scoreless with four stops in the quarter.
 
UVM kept the Hawks off the scoreboard in the second quarter as well. Cam Milligan and Ian MacKay each struck twice and Jack Knight added his seventh goal of the year to give Vermont a 7-0 lead at the half.
 
The Catamounts pushed their lead to 9-0 with back-to-back goals to open the scoring in the third quarter. Dawes Milchling netted his 21st goal of the year on an unassisted play and MacKay finished up a hat trick, converting a feed from Nick Bartlett, at the 11:42 mark of the period.
 
Alex Brown finally got Hartford on the scoreboard with an unassisted goal at the 8:16 mark. The Catamounts answered with three straight goals to close the half and led 12-1 after three quarters.
 
James Barlow wrapped up the scoring for Vermont with the first goal of the fourth quarter to make the score 13-1 in favor of the Catamounts. Hartford closed out the game with three goals off the stick of three different players.
 
MacKay and Milligan finished the day with three goals each, while Cam Stafford added three points on a goal and two assists. Overall, seven Catamounts scored in the contest and 10 players picked up a point.
 
Jaedon Henderson paced the Hartford offense with two points on one goal and one assist.
 
Kaplan finished the day with 14 saves to pick up the win. Thomas Stockham and Patrick Buono relieved Kaplan for the final three minutes of action with Stockham picking up one stop.
 
Ryan Vanderford and Zack Jones combined for 16 saves in the Hartford net. Vanderford was tagged with the loss for the Hawks.
 
Vermont closes out the regular season hosting Binghamton and will aim to secure a spot in the conference playoffs. Faceoff is set for 7 p.m., under the lights at Virtue Field. The game will be streamed for free via AmericaEast.tv at UVMathletics.com.
 
Tickets to the game can be purchased online at UVMathletics.com/tickets or in person one hour before game time at the Gutterson Fieldhouse Box Office.
 
FAN APPRECIATION DAY
Saturday marks a full day of lacrosse at Virtue Field and both UVM teams will be celebrating Senior Day. The UVM women's team also hosts Binghamton at 3 p.m. Both programs will honor their senior classes in pregame ceremonies.
 
The University of Vermont Athletic Department will be hosting a Fan Appreciation Day, rain or shine, on Saturday between lacrosse games from 6:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at Virtue Field.  Join us as we thank you the fans for your support of Vermont Athletics this year.  

Fans can enjoy free food and beverages including Leonardo's Pizza. In addition, fans will have access to a bouncy castle provided by Suncommon, music, lawn games, face painting and more! There will also be the opportunity to enter multiple raffles for signed Vermont athletic items and gift cards. And of course, Rally Catamount will be there!
 
RALLY AGAINST CANCER
Saturday the final Rally Against Cancer event of the season presented by Otter Creek Awnings and Vermont Custom Closets. The Catamounts will be wearing special pink arm bands and socks to show support for the work being done at the University of Vermont Cancer Center. There will be a table with representatives from the UVM Cancer Center as well as Otter Creek Awnings and Vermont Custom Closets with more information on the Rally Against Cancer games and donations can be made.
 
NOTES: Vermont's seven wins, most under Ryan Curtis and most since the 2006 season (9-6) … UVM has seven conference wins in the last two seasons … The Catamounts earned their 20th victory over Hartford in the all-time series and first win on the Hawks' home field in four tries.