NORTHFIELD, Vt. — The Hartford High girls lacrosse team was unable to complete its undefeated season and capture its first VPA Division II title since 2022, falling to Green Mountain Valley, 19-16, in Saturday’s championship at Norwich University.

The Hurricanes struck first just 45 seconds into the game on a goal by senior standout Madison Barwood. But the Gumbies responded less than three minutes later to tie the game — and then kept scoring, rattling off four more goals to take a 5-1 lead.

During that stretch, Green Mountain Valley dominated possession and controlled the pace, playing a methodical style of offense.

“I think our biggest challenge was draw control, because that’s possession — and truly, the girl at the draw was a specialist,” said Hurricanes head coach Heather Hartford. “I think ball control, or possession, was our greatest challenge, and if we’d had it a little more, it could have gone the other way.”

The Hurricanes stopped the bleeding on a determined run by senior Paige Trombly, who weaved through several defenders to score and cut the deficit to 5-2.

But Green Mountain Valley answered almost immediately and extended its lead to 6-2 by the end of the first quarter. The Gumbies then opened the second with two more goals, prompting a Hartford timeout down 8-2.

Out of the stoppage, the Hurricanes settled down. About five minutes later, junior Nella Bowen scored off an assist from senior Audrey Rupp.

Green Mountain Valley quickly responded to make it 9-3, but Hartford started inching back.

Rupp, who scored twice during the run, and Barwood, who added another goal, brought the Hurricanes within three. The teams traded goals in the final minute of the half, sending the game to halftime at 10-7.

The teams continued exchanging goals in the third quarter, and a Barwood score pulled Hartford within two at 11-9. But momentum shifted again: Green Mountain Valley seniors Harper Travis and Cannon Martin combined for a flurry of goals, stretching the lead to 15-9.

Then came a major blow: Barwood, a star throughout her career, was ejected after receiving her second yellow card. The teams added two goals apiece before the end of the third, and the Gumbies led 17-11.

Despite trailing by six, Hartford had momentum. Green Mountain Valley picked up its fourth yellow card late in the third quarter and was forced to play a player down for the remainder of the game.

Hartford, led by Trombly, quickly took advantage. She scored twice in the opening minute of the fourth quarter to make it 17-13.

Trombly nearly added a third straight goal in what would have been a heroic effort, but the score was waved off after she stepped into the crease.

The call took the air out of the rowdy Hartford crowd that had made the trip to Northfield and stalled the Hurricanes’ momentum.

Hartford kept fighting. The Gumbies added two more goals, and the Hurricanes answered with three but ultimately ran out of time.

It was an emotional postgame scene as players embraced their coach, who is retiring how that the season is done.

Hartford told her players they were champions no matter the outcome and that she was proud of their effort. Although she won’t be on the sidelines next year, the coach expressed confidence in the program’s future and said she was honored to coach at Hartford.

“I have all the faith in the world,” she said. “It’s a great program and a great athletics staff and department we have there to support us.”

Michael Coughlin Jr. can be reached at mcoughlin@vnews.com.