On a day where Vermont men’s lacrosse celebrated the program’s 40th anniversary, University of Hartford spoiled the Catamounts’ party.

The Hawks defeated UVM 15-13 Apr. 1 at Virtue Field in a rematch of the 2016 America East Championship, which Hartford also won.

The start of the game was pushed back 45 minutes due to the snowy conditions.

Despite the delay, Vermont started strong when sophomore attacker Dawes Milchling opened scoring 1:45 into the game

Hartford grabbed an equalizer shortly after, but Vermont would score four of the next five goals, including a highlight-reel behind-the-back goal by senior attacker Cam Milligan, to open up a 5-2 lead with around 10 minutes left in the first half.

The Hawks then exploded, scoring seven of the next eight goals and opening up a 9-6 lead.

Sophomore defender Andrew Simeon was able to claw one back for UVM with his first career goal, but Hartford grabbed the next two goals to open the lead to 11-7.

Vermont didn’t go without a fight, as senior defender and captain Ben Cox cut the lead to 11-8, followed by a pair of Milchling goals to pull UVM within one.

However, Hartford scored four of the next five goals to extend the lead to 15-11.

The Catamounts got a lifeline with 3:02 to go as Hartford’s Brendan Gates, Alex Borja and Claude Bradshaw all received one-minute penalties.

UVM was only able to capitalize on this opportunity once, with Milchling scoring with just three seconds remaining on the penalty.

The sophomore attacker beat the buzzer for his fifth goal of the game, but it was mere consolation.

Milchling paced UVM’s attack, scoring five goals and assisting on one more for a total of six points, while Milligan and senior midfielder Alex Stanko contributed three each. Hartford was led by seven points by Griffin Feiner and six from Alec Brown.

In goal, first-year goalkeeper Nick Washuta stopped 14 shots for the Catamounts, while Hartford’s Ryan Vanderford stopped nine.

The Catamounts fall to 4-6 — 0-3 America East — and visit the University of Massachusetts Lowell April 8.