NORTH ANDOVER, Mass. -- Denis Petro (Michalovce, Slovakia) netted his first career goal in the 77th minute and the UMass Lowell men's soccer team survived playing the final nine minutes with 10 men to pull out the 1-0 win against Merrimack in the first meeting between the programs since 2012.

Petro stayed onside at the back post and deposited the rebound off of Renato Kauzlaric's (Zagreb, Croatia) shot to break open the stalemate and give the River Hawks (3-2-1) their fourth straight win against the Warriors (2-2), who are in their first season in Division I.

"It was a good, gritty performance from the group out there," remarked Head Coach Christian Figueroa. "To go on the road against a team that has had some good results over the past few weeks was very good for our guys. We were able to sustain pressure throughout and get that goal for the win."

The hosts were able to apply consistent pressure in the final nine minutes, that resulted in five shots, but the tough UMass Lowell back line blocked three attempts and Patrick Gujic (Bjelovar, Croatia) the second of his two saves. Merrimack outshot the River Hawks 10-7, although the visitors held the slim, 3-2, advantage in shots on target.

Early in the first half, the Warriors had the game's best opportunities forcing Gujic to make a diving stop in the 14th minute and sending a shot off the crossbar moments later.

The River Hawks head to Massachusetts for a Saturday afternoon tilt at 1 p.m., in their final non-conference test before America East play.