The UMass Lowell men’s lacrosse team began its 2026 season with a 15-12 loss to Quinnipiac University. The game, played in Lowell, saw sophomore Alex Lafreniere score three goals and provide an assist for the River Hawks.
Head Coach Drew Kelleher commented on the match, saying, “Credit to Quinnipiac. They’re a really good team and really well-coached and have some really good pieces. I think they’re going to do some big things in the MAAC. I thought we played really well in stretches, and I think we got to learn how to win close games, and hopefully today was a good start to that.”
Seven different players scored for UMass Lowell. Alongside Lafreniere’s performance, sophomore Danny Burke also recorded three goals and an assist. Junior Johnny Soi added two goals, while freshman Ryan Proctor scored his first career goal and notched an assist. Additional goals came from junior Ryan Cho and sophomores Griffin Sumwalt and Brady Brennan. Redshirt sophomore James Donnelly had two assists, with sophomore Braden McMahon contributing one assist. In goal, junior Scott Kosakowski made 10 saves over the course of the game.
Quinnipiac started strong by scoring four times within the first ten minutes. UMass Lowell responded with Proctor’s first collegiate goal late in the opening quarter but trailed 5-2 after one period.
The River Hawks narrowed the gap early in the second quarter as Lafreniere scored, followed by quick goals from Sumwalt and Brennan to bring them within one at 6-5 midway through the period. However, Quinnipiac responded with three consecutive goals before halftime to lead 9-5.
UMass Lowell tied the game at nine apiece during a strong third-quarter run led by Soi, Burke, Lafreniere, and Cho. Despite their efforts, Quinnipiac regained control late in the third quarter and held off UMass Lowell’s attempts at a comeback in the final period.
UMass Lowell will play its next game against Mercyhurst on Saturday, February 14 in Erie, Pennsylvania.
