WEST HARTFORD, Conn. – The Plattsburgh State women's lacrosse team traveled to the University of Hartford to face the Hawks for the first time in program history. On Thursday evening at Al-Marzook Field at Alumni Stadium, the Cardinals fell 17-5 in non-conference action. Sophomore attacker Ashley O'Hara (Chittenango, N.Y. / The Hill School) was the only multi-point scorer for Plattsburgh, finishing with a goal and an assist for two points while also controlling four draws, causing two turnovers, and collecting two ground balls.

The Cardinals also received goals from Chase Calandra (Rome, N.Y. / Rome Free Academy), Juliana Conley (Valhalla, N.Y. / Valhalla), Abby Guasconi (Ogdensburg, N.Y. / Ogdensburg Free Academy), and Leah Klotz (Highland, N.Y. / Highland). Conley added two draw controls, while senior defender Ava Parsons (Vestal, N.Y. / Vestal) and Guasconi each collected two ground balls. First-year goalie Lauren Piscazzi (Merrick, N.Y. / John F. Kennedy) made six saves in the loss for Plattsburgh.

For the Hawks, Kate Zonin led all players with six points on five goals and an assist, followed by Sara Costa with five points on three goals and two assists. Costa also controlled a game-high seven draws, while Mandi Rivard made three saves in the win for Hartford.

Hartford controlled shots, 33-13, and draw controls, 16-9, while Plattsburgh held a 19-14 advantage in ground balls. Both teams scored three free-position goals, with the Cardinals finishing 3-for-6 and the Hawks 3-for-7. On clears, Plattsburgh was efficient at 10-for-11, while Hartford went 15-for-18.

Plattsburgh struck first, taking an early lead at 13:39 when O'Hara controlled the ball at GLE and found a cutting Conley for the opening goal. Hartford responded quickly, tying the game at 1-1 at 13:02 before moving ahead 2-1 with 4:03 remaining. Klotz answered with the equalizer less than two minutes later, but the Hawks reclaimed the lead, taking a 3-2 advantage into the second quarter.

Hartford then used a five-goal run to build a 7-2 lead. O'Hara halted the surge with a goal at the 5:30 mark, but the Hawks continued to apply pressure, holding Plattsburgh scoreless until 1:11 into the third quarter. While down a player, the Cardinals capitalized as Guasconi scored a player-down goal to send Plattsburgh into the final quarter trailing 13-4.

Although the Cardinals added a late third-quarter goal to generate some momentum, the offense managed just one tally in the fourth, as Plattsburgh fell 17-5.

With the loss, Plattsburgh State falls to 1-4 and will return to action on Saturday, Mar. 21, hosting Buffalo State for a 1 p.m. opening draw in their State University of New York Athletic Conference (SUNYAC) opener.