UMASS LOWELL PICKS UP WEEKEND SWEEP WITH 5-2 WIN OVER MASSACHUSETTS
Sophomore forward Derek Arnold nets two goals for River Hawks

Sophomore forward Derek Arnold scored two goals for the River Hawks

LOWELL, Mass. - Sophomore Derek Arnold (Foxboro, Mass.) scored two goals to lift the 11th-ranked River Hawks past Massachusetts on Saturday night in the Tsongas Center. The victory completed a season sweep of the Minutemen, UMass Lowell's first in the series since 1997-98.

The River Hawks, playing in front of a crowd of 5,162, bolstered their record to 16-7-0 on the season and 11-6-0 in Hockey East play. Massachusetts dropped to 9-10-5 with the loss and 5-8-4 in conference action.

UMass Lowell raced out to a two goal lead in the first period off of scores by Arnold and senior Matt Ferreira (Brampton, Ont.). The first tally came on a rebound off of junior Riley Wetmore's (Swanton, Vt.) shot at the inside edge of the far circle, sending the puck bouncing to Arnold in the slot at 10:35.

Ferreira followed late in the first period, converting on a two-on-two fast break into the Minutemen zone. Terrence Wallin (Yardley, Pa.) carried along the far wall, outpacing the defender, and hit Ferreira at the edge of the crease for a perfect tip-in goal.

The momentum flipped in the second period as Massachusetts answered with two goals to erase the lead, locking the score at 2-2. Joel Hanley (Keswick, Ont.) potted the first with a one-timer at the top of the near circle from Conor Sheary (Melrose, Mass.) at 9:17.

The Minutemen's Patrick Kiley (Reading, Mass.) then found the net, knocking the puck after a well-timed backdoor pass from Colin Shea (Shrewsbury, Mass.) at 15:28.

Despite the shift in momentum, the River Hawks recaptured the lead before the second period ran out. Racing down ice with a two-on-one advantage, senior David Vallorani (Hamilton, Ont.) hit the goalie with a shot and the rebound kicked to sophomore Josh Holmstrom (Colorado Springs, Colo.) for the put-back with 3:10 remaining.

Coming out in the third period, UMass Lowell put some distance on the scoreboard after a pair of penalties granted the River Hawks a five-on-three advantage. Arnold laced a one-timer at the near circle from classmate Chad Ruhwedel (San Diego, Calif.) at 2:43.

Wallin then scored the night's final goal at 9:14, knocking in a pass from Vallorani seated in the far corner, resting the score at 5-2.

In net for UMass Lowell was sophomore Doug Carr (Hanover, Mass.) who secured his 15th win of the season. Carr stopped 28-of-30 shots and stonewalled Massachusetts on its lone power play. The Minutemen's Jeff Teglia (Bloomingdale, Ill.) made 24 saves while falling to 1-5-1 on the campaign.

The River Hawks will now turn their attention to Vermont, who visits the Tsongas Center for a pair of games on Friday and Saturday. Massachusetts will visit Northeastern next Friday before hosting Merrimack on Saturday.