Statistics
WEST HARTFORD, Conn. – Kate Zonin's game-winner in overtime of Saturday's opening round matchup in the 2026 Conference of New England Women's Lacrosse Championship lifted No. 4 seed University of Hartford over the fifth-seeded University of New England, 12-11, in a postseason battle that went down to the wire on Al-Marzook Field.
UNE (8-9) had its chances late in the game, coming up empty on the final possession of regulation, and later turning in a big defensive stand to open the extra session, but a costly Nor'easter turnover set the stage for Zonin's dagger at the 2:03 mark.
Zonin and Sara Costa paced the Hawks (12-6) offensively with three goals apiece, but Lauren Samela's game-high 14 draw controls spelled even more trouble for UNE, which was nearly doubled up (16-9) on the draw.
Sydney Balotin scored three goals for the Nor'easters, while
Chloe Ryan and
Molly Henderson each netted two.
The win ships Hartford to Endicott, where it will battle the top-seeded Gulls in Wednesday's semifinal.
Aside from the lopsided draw control numbers, the Nor'easters had the upperhand in several other categories, claiming ground balls by a 21-18 margin, along with a 21-16 edge in shots on goal. The Hawks committed 15 turnovers while UNE had 10, and the Nor'easters were more successful on the clear, having converted 20 of their 23 attempts, while the Hawks were 17-for-22. Hartford was also given five cards, including the only two yellows of the game, while UNE was presented only one green card.
A regular season meeting between UNE and Hartford exactly two weeks prior also sided with the Hawks, 12-11 in overtime. Neither side ever led by more than two goals in that game, but Hartford was able to muster a three-goal lead late in the fourth quarter of Saturday's tournament tilt. UNE wiped away an 11-8 deficit with goals from Ryan and Henderson, plus Balotin's game-tying tally with 2:14 left in regulation.
That comeback came while the Nor'easters held the Hawks scoreless over the final 11:16 of the fourth quarter. Hartford was held to just one shot on goal during that stretch.
