Box Score Sophomore M Mohamed Toufik opened the scoring in the 35^th minute, and added another goal in the 71^st minute to secure Southern New Hampshire's, 2-0 victory over UMass Lowell in the NCAA Division II East Region Championship.

With the loss, UMass Lowell ends its season at 15-6-1. With that record, UMass Lowell ties a program record for games played in a season (23).

Southern New Hampshire advances to play No. 3 Mercyhurst in the semifinal round on Sunday afternoon at 1:00 pm.

The loss marked the third time this season that UMass Lowell has fallen to Southern New Hampshire. The Penmen also defeated the River Hawks, 3-0, in the regular season, and, 2-0, in the Northeast-10 Tournament.

The scoring began in the 35^th minute when freshman B Jonathan Lupinelli delivered a pass from the right side of the net. The ball found an awkwardly positioned Toufik, who was able to twist just enough to place his heel on the ball and sneak it past junior GK Christopher Maierle (Wantagh, N.Y.), giving Southern New Hampshire a 1-0 lead.

UMass Lowell came out more aggressive in the second half, and had a chance to even the score in the 64^th minute. After a failed clear attempt by the Southern New Hampshire defense, Junior F Majid Saeed (Woburn, Mass.) wound up with a clear shot at an open net, but his shot sailed over the top of the goal, keeping the Penmen lead at 1-0.

Toufik would add his second goal of the night in the 71^st minute.  After a diving save by Maierle, Toufik controlled the rebound and stuck it in the far side of the net, widening Southern New Hampshire's lead to 2-0.

“They're a good team,” said UMass Lowell head coach Christian Figueroa. “I don't think they [did] anything in terms of game-planning of that stuff, I know they've got a great staff, they're always prepared, but they're a good team.”

            In the 85^th minute, UMass Lowell had a chance to chip away on a corner kick that was lofted toward the net. Sophomore B Juan Moreira (Leominster, Mass.) was able to get a leg on it, but his bid sailed over the top of net.

Southern New Hampshire out shot UMass Lowell 15-6 overall and 9-1 on target. Maierle stopped seven shots while junior GK Dom DiMaggio saved the only shot he saw.