Hanzelka Scores in Final Minute as Harford Men’s Lacrosse Edges Williamson, 7-6

From the HCC sports desk:

BEL AIR, Md.—The Harford men’s lacrosse team edged Williamson Free Trade, 7-6, in its home-opener on Saturday morning at Harford Stadium. Freshman Craig Hanzelka (Edgewood, Md./Edgewood) notched the game-winner with just 24 seconds remaining in the fourth quarter. The game was originally scheduled to be played at Williamson in Media, Pa., but was relocated due to unplayable field conditions.

The Fighting Owls improve to 2-0 on the season after downing Delaware Tech-Terry, 16-13 in their season-opener on Feb. 28, while the Mechanics fall to 0-1 on the season.

Hanzelka led Harford scorers with two goals on the day, while freshman Tom Masters (Bel Air, Md./Bel Air) totaled three points with one goal and two assists for the Owls. On the Mechanics’ side, Mike Greco led the way with three goals.

Harford took an early, 1-0, lead just two minutes into the game as sophomore Branden Kenny (Edgewood, Md./Edgewood) connected with Hanzelka at the 13:00 mark, but the Mechanics would convert on an extra-man opportunity during freshman Matt Wood’s (Joppatowne, Md./Joppatowne) penalty time and knot the score at one with five seconds left in the first quarter.

Harford would score twice in the second period and take a 3-1 lead into the half before extending its advantage to four, 5-1, with two goals in the third. That lead would be cut to three as Williamson scored at the 3:52 mark in the third, but the Owls would quickly bring the lead back up to four with a goal at the 12:03 mark in the fourth quarter.

Harford looked to be in good shape with a 6-2 lead, but the Mechanics would score four times within a 4:49 span to knot the score at six with just 2:11 remaining in regulation. Hanzelka would give Harford the win as he tallied an unassisted game-winner with 24 seconds left on the clock on the way to the 7-6 decision.

Harford dominated the faceoff X, winning 14 of 16 battles and outshot the Mechanics 29-12, while freshman goalie Tim Kemena (West Chester, Pa./West Chester Henderson) tallied six saves in 60:00.
The Fighting Owls return to action on Friday March 12, when they host Morris as part of a men’s and women’s doubleheader at Harford Stadium. The men will begin at 5:00 p.m., with the women’s game against No. 4 Nassau slated to start at 7:00 p.m.