BOSTON, Mass. – A Calvin Lee (Hopkinton, Mass.) wrap-around goal with 40 seconds left in the first overtime period, earned lacrosse a 9-8 non-conference win over Nichols College Thursday evening at James Cotter Field.

THE BASICS

UMass Boston 9, Nichols College 8 (OT)

UMass Boston (5-0, 0-0 Little East Conference)
Nichols College (1-3, 0-0 Commonwealth Coast Conference)

HOW IT HAPPENED

After Lee tied the game at 8-8 with back-to-back goals, the senior attackman capitalized on a one-on-one play and beat Nichols goalie Brian McKinley to the near post. With the victory the Beacons continue their best start ever under head coach Tyler Low, as they improve to 5-0 on the year, including 3-0 in overtime games. 

Lee struggled to get anything going early on, but with the game on the line, the senior attackman netted a pair of key goals with less than six to play in regulation.  His game-winner capped off a five-goal showing for the senior.  He also tallied one assist in the victory. 

Also having a big game for UMass was senior Craig Frehill (Norwell, Mass.) who managed to stop a variety of shots from the Bison.  On multiple occasions, Frehill was forced to come up with a huge kick save, while also taking a couple of shots directly in the chest.

The senior registered an impressive 17 stops, including seven in the fourth quarter-when the Bison were trying to put the game away. 

Tyler Sikich led Nichols attack with three goals and an assist, while Paul Tessier finished with a goal and two assists.  Between the pipes McKinley was very impressive, as the freshman goalie came-up with 13 saves, including a crucial one in the opening minute of the overtime period.

Brendan Lovely (Foxborough, Mass.) anchored the Beacons defense with his four caused turnovers, while Jack Dillon (Barrington, R.I.) combined for a career-high eight ground balls.  Anthony Tortora (Medford, Mass.) posted five ground balls, and forced two turnovers in the victory.

BY THE NUMBERS

• UMass Boston improves to 5-0 for the first time since the 2005 season
• The Beacons are now 10-4 all-time against Nichols
• Lee is currently averaging 8.25 points per game (33 total points) in his first contests with the Beacons
• Frehill's 17 stops marked the most of the season for the senior and the second-most of his career (19)

WHO'S NEXT

The Beacons will travel to Emerson College on Saturday for a 1 p.m. non-conference game.