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NEW HAVEN, Conn. –  Freshman Cory Highfield (Georgetown, Ontario) netted the first two goals of the Division I era as the UMass Lowell men's lacrosse team (0-1) fell, 19-4, at Yale University (1-0) in their season opener Saturday afternoon in New Haven. 

"It was great to come out and play a quality team like Yale," said Head Coach Ed Stephenson. "They are a top-ten quality team and that's where we hope to be in three years."

The River Hawks got off to a dream start in the opening minute as Highfield scored the team's first ever Division I goal. After controlling the opening faceoff, Highfield made a run in the offensive end on the left side and fired a shot past Eric Natale for an early River Hawk lead.

Yale responded less than two minutes later to tie the game courtesy of a Ben Reeves shot that beat Giles Ober (Southborough, Mass). The Bulldogs went on to score 12 unanswered goals to end the first half, and went into the locker room leading 12-1.

Ober tallied ten saves in the opening half, as the Bulldogs took 31 in total during the first 20 minutes. For the game, the River Hawks netminder stopped 14 shots.

"I thought Giles really stood on his head today," said Stephenson. "Against a team like Yale, to make 14 saves from high-percentage areas is impressive and he needs to be credited. We have to do a better job in the clearing game, but in the cage he was tremendous."

Just like the first half, Highfield opened the second half with a goal at the 14:05 mark of the third quarter to double his and the team's tally. Matthew Balter (Sand Lake, N.Y.) picked up the assist on the score.

Sean Tyrrell (Calgary, Alberta) became the second River Hawk to find the back of the net with 13:23 to go in the 4th quarter on a pass from Jon Phillips (Delta, B.C.). Sam Klingsporn (Aloha, Ore.) scoresd the team's fourth and final goal with 11:05 left on the clock as he beat Phil Huffard with a shot in the bottom left corner.

UMass Lowell continues its season with their home opener on February 21 against Siena at 1 p.m. from Cushing Field Complex.