Saturday, February 17 at Massachusetts: Live Stats | Watch
 
LOWELL, Mass. – Following a hard-fought battle in the season opener, the UMass Lowell men's lacrosse team (0-1) will hit the road for the first time this season to take on the Massachusetts Minutemen (0-1) on Saturday, February 17. Opening faceoff is set for 3 p.m. at Garber Field.
 
LAST TIME OUT
Last weekend, the River Hawks fell to Holy Cross, 16-9, in the season opener. Senior Garrett Murphy (Billerica, Mass.), who was one of seven goal-scorers for the River Hawks, tallied two goals while adding three ground balls. Freshman Colby Frigon (Providence, R.I.) impressed in his collegiate debut, tying the team-high with two goals. Junior Kahiri Sears (Columbus, Ohio) finished with two assists for two points, while freshmen Owen Fitzgerald (Calverton, N.Y.), James Donnelly (Ottawa, Ontario), and Johnny Soi (Kehonkson, N.Y.) each chipped in with their first collegiate goals.  Faceoff specialist Jack Bird (Buffalo, N.Y.) had a historic day at the X, setting a program record with 24 faceoff wins in 26 attempts, good for a nation-leading .923 win percentage. In net, graduate student Mark Pav (South Setauket, N.Y.) made his debut for the River Hawks, making 12 saves in 60 minutes of action.
 
LEADING THE FLOCK
Nine River Hawks find themselves in the points column after one game, with Murphy and Frigon leading the squad with two goals each. Next up, Sears totals a team-best two assists for two points. Right behind him with one point each, senior Curtis Redd (Amherst, N.H.), junior Riley Lawhorn (Amherst, N.H.), Donnelly, Soi, and Fitzgerald all have a goal, while sophomore Jackson Dean (Deer Park, Wash.) totals one assist. Bird, who leads the team with 24 faceoff victories, also posts a team-leading 12 ground balls. In net, Pav has made 12 saves in 60 minutes of action.
 
AMERICA EAST HONORS
Following their impressive performances in the season opener, Bird was named the America East Faceoff Specialist of the Week, while Frigon took home America East Rookie of the Week honors.
 
SCOUTING MASSACHUSETTS
The Minutemen enter the game coming off a 13-12 loss to #8 Army in their season opener. Leading the Massachusetts offense was midfielder Grant Breyo, who recorded three goals and a caused turnover. Behind him, Anthony Sericolo added two goals, while seven others found the back of the net once. In net, graduate student Matt Knote played all 60 minutes, making 16 saves while allowing 13 goals in the loss.
 
MATCHUP HISTORY
UMass Lowell and Massachusetts have faced off six times, with the Minutemen claiming victory in each match. Last season, the two teams battled it out at Cushing Field, with the River Hawks falling, 11-3. In that game, Lawhorn tallied his first goal of the season while then-freshman Luke Renaud (Skaneateles, N.Y.) made 18 saves in net.