SCHENECTADY, N.Y. – The UMass Lowell ice hockey team (5-6-0, 3-3-0 Hockey East) dropped a 7-1 decision against Union (7-2-1, 2-2-0 ECAC) on Friday evening at the M&T Center in Schenectady, N.Y.

Freshman Dalyn Wakely (Port Hope, Ontario) scored the lone goal for the River Hawks, giving him two on the year and a team-leading nine points. Freshman Austin Elliott (Strathmore, Alberta) got the starting between the pipes, making eight saves, while senior Samuel Richard (Sainte-Catherine, Quebec) entered the game in the second period and made 18 saves.

"Today, we will share in this team loss," said Head Coach Norm Bazin. "The team practiced well this week, so we were hopeful that it would translate. Unfortunately, we were clearly a step off all night. Every aspect of our game will need to be better if we want to salvage this weekend."

Union got it started, scoring three goals at the 1:58, 3:44 and 4:12 marks to open up the game. The River Hawks responded by taking control offensively and getting shots on net, including multiple scoring chances on a power play that started at 11:59. Sophomores Chris Delaney (Hopkinton, Mass.) and Mirko Buttazzoni (Langley, B.C) collected quality scoring opportunities, while sophomore Lee Parks (Ottawa, Ontario) sent a wrist shot off the post for a near-goal. Union then added one at 16:44 to close the period with a 4-0 score.

The River Hawks responded yet again to a Union goal at 4:37 of the second, outshooting the Garnet Chargers, 11-10, in the period and forcing the Union goaltender to make saves. Richard entered the game in net for the River Hawks following the goal, saving all seven shots that came his way to keep the Union offense at bay. UMass Lowell continued to create chances, especially on power plays, but were unable to find the back of the net in the period.

The River Hawks won 16 of 29 faceoffs in the third period and it was another even period in terms of shots on goal. Union cashed in at 8:57 and 10:32, before Wakely scored his second of the year while the River Hawks were shorthanded at the 18:35 mark. He stole the puck from a Union skater at the blue line to create a breakaway for himself, made a nifty move on the goaltender and backhanded it in for the goal. The clock then struck zeroes with a 7-1 score.

The team will now travel to RPI tomorrow, November 15 for a 4:00 p.m. puck drop at Houston Fieldhouse in Troy, N.Y.