LOWELL, Mass. -- Senior goalie Grant Lardieri (Ada, Mich.) totaled a career-high 22 saves to lead the UMass Lowell Men's Lacrosse team to an 8-4 victory against Vermont on Saturday night at Cushing Field Complex in America East play. 

The River Hawks improve to 4-6 overall (1-1 AE), while Vermont drops to 5-4 overall (2-1 AE). UMass Lowell's win against the Catamounts is the first in program history.

"It was a great game all the way around, it was a hard fought game by both teams and that's what you expect in conference play," said UMass Lowell Head Coach Ed Stephenson. "Grant played outstanding in the goal with 22 saves, he really kept us in the game, the defense did a nice job of working in front of him to give him some good looks. Just a really great effort on the defensive end."

Sophomore attackman Jake Lining (Rochester, Mich.) amassed a career-high four goals to pack the River Hawk offense. Isaac Bot (Calgary, Alta.) also added two goals, while Bryce Holak (Duluth, Minn.) and Will Russo (Ronkonkoma, N.Y.) each tallied a goal apiece. Dan Cozzi (Reading, Mass.) added a game-high three assists for the River Hawks, while Bot tallied a team-high five shots on goal. 

Vermont opened the game with two goals in the first 7:30 of the game, but then the River Hawks rattled off six straight goals after that to take a 6-2 lead just four minutes into the third stanza.

Lardieri recorded eight stops in the second quarter and six in the third frame to pick up his third victory of the season. Nick Washuta made 13 stops in the losing effort for the Catamounts. 

"It felt good, I was seeing the ball well," stated Lardieri. "This might be our biggest win in program history, it feels great, but it's on to the next one."

The River Hawks killed off all five man-up opportunities by the Catamounts in the game. UMass Lowell finished the game 1-for-3 on man-up chances.

Thomas McConvey posted two goals in the loss for Vermont. 

UMass Lowell returns to action on Saturday, April 6th at Hartford in America East play. Game time is 2 p.m. from Al-Marzook Field in West Hartford, Conn.

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