Dartmouth Scores First, but Falls to UMass Lowell in Home Opener

HANOVER, N.H. – Dartmouth men's lacrosse fell to UMass Lowell by a score of 13-8 in the home opener at Scully-Fahey Field on Tuesday in a game that saw just six goals scored in the first 30 minutes.

Matt Paul led the Big Green with five points from four goals and one assist, while Harlan Smart, George Prince and Ben Martin also had multi-point games. In net, Daniel Hincks played the first 53 minutes and made 10 saves while being saddled with the loss. George Christopher came in at the end of the fourth and did not allow any goals.

"Tonight was simple: they outplayed us," head coach Brendan Callahan said. "They out ground balled us. They outplayed us in faceoffs and I think coming into the second half when the possessions piled up on us, the defense was worn down and that gave them the advantage.

"I was impressed with Matt Paul on offense," Callahan continued. "He did a good job of getting us going. I thought our defense played really well in the half field in the first half. Our ride gave us some extra possessions and I was impressed that we held them to 0-for-5 on man down. The biggest things we have to clean up are our stick work and the details to our game. I am looking forward to having an exam break to get back to the basics and get better."

Defense and goaltending were the story of the first quarter, as it took almost 10 minutes for the scoreboard to read anything but zeroes. Both teams had some good chances during that time, but all were turned away. At 6:15, the scoreless tie was finally broken when Paul gave Dartmouth (1-3) a 1-0 edge. That lead did not last, however, as UMass Lowell (2-2) scored a pair of goals in the final three minutes to jump ahead (2-1).

The second quarter was very similar to the first, as it took 11 minutes for another goal to be scored. At 3:42, Paul got past Grant Lardieri for the second time this afternoon and tied the score at 2-2, but, as they did the first time around, the River Hawks responded twofold. UMass Lowell tallies at 0:54 and 0:47 put the visitors up by two heading to the intermission (4-2).

Eight goals were scored in the span of 11 minutes in an eventful third quarter. The teams traded tallies at first, with Smart, Paul and Prince finding the back of the net for Dartmouth, but UMass Lowell continued to pull further ahead until it had a 9-5 advantage.

The excitement of the third carried into the final 15 minutes as the teams continued to battle. The Big Green and the River Hawks went back and forth, but UMass Lowell held on to its lead (13-7). With 6:52 to go, Christopher made his way into the game. An impressive diving goal by Martin with 4:31 wrapped up scoring.

Next Saturday, Dartmouth will be back at Scully to host Binghamton.