NORTH ANDOVER, Mass. -- Sophomore goalie Matt Murakami (Long Grove, Ill.) amassed a career-high 17 saves to lead the UMass Lowell Men's Lacrosse team to an 8-6 victory at Merrimack on Saturday afternoon at Duane Stadium.

The River Hawks improve to 3-4 overall on the season, while Merrimack drops to 1-5 overall with the loss.

"That was a really solid team win with contributions from both ends of the field and at the face off x," said UMass Lowell Head Coach Ed Stephenson. "Matt Murakami played really well in the cage and the defense was strong in front of him. Kyle Laforge was really strong on offense with two goals and three tough ground balls."

Murakami, who earned his first career win for the River Hawks in his fourth career start, was clutch in the fourth quarter for the River Hawks registering six saves. 

Freshman Conor Foley (Walpole, Mass.) and junior Kyle LaForge (Tyngsboro, Mass.) each tallied two goals apiece in the win for UMass Lowell. LaForge registered a game-high 10 shots, five of which were on goal

Merrimack got on the board first in the game, but the River Hawks rattled off three consecutive goals to take a 3-1 lead at the end of the first quarter. 

Sophomore defender Eric Flynn (Bedford, N.H.) notched a game-high four caused turnovers and team-high four ground balls for the River Hawks in the victory. 

The River Hawks killed off all five man-up opportunities by Merrimack on the day.

Charlie Bertrand and Sean Black each totaled two goals apiece in the loss for the Warriors, while Peter Brown made 15 saves in net for Merrimack. 

UMass Lowell returns to action for the America East Conference opener against UAlbany on Saturday, March 14th. Game time from Cushing Field Complex is 7 p.m. 

-