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One goal away from being named conference champions last season, the UMass Lowell hockey team is looking forward to a season with a different outcome – one goal better than the last.
The end of the season may not have gone the way the team wanted, but considering that UMass Lowell is returning 10 of its top scorers, six defensemen and both goaltenders – and has added five new talented freshmen – this season may go exactly the way it hopes.
“We only had three seniors, so it’s logical to predict we’ll have a strong season this year,” says Head Coach Blaise MacDonald. “But, the evolution of time doesn’t ensure greater success, and we need to continue to work hard within the structure and system of how we play.”
The River Hawks lost Mark Roebothan, Nick Monroe and Mike Potacco, leaving room for five freshmen to step in.
“They are all going to be very solid, good contributors over their careers,” says MacDonald. “It is a big step for a freshman to come into such a veteran team, but I think Joe Caveney and Riley Wetmore have shown they can fit right in immediately, along with Colin Wright and Robert Visca.”
The fifth freshman, Chris Ickert, will be redshirting this year and won’t be assigned an official number until next season.
But the fans won’t soon forget the team members who made the big plays last year. The River Hawks are returning 11 seniors this year, four juniors and six sophomores. Who can we expect to take us to the conference finals again?
“We’re looking for Kory Falite to get back on track as he was our best player in his sophomore year, as well as Scott Campbell and Maury Edwards, who had great sophomore years last year,” says MacDonald. “On defense, three seniors: Nick Schaus, Jeremy Dehner, Barry Goers, will be three of the best in the league.”
Ranked number two in the coach’s poll this year with two votes for a first-place title, the River Hawks have high expectations for this year.
“I expect that we will one, win on home ice, two, return to the Garden with better results and three, ultimately make it to the Frozen Four and win,” says Falite, a senior.
The River Hawks made two upsets last season, beating both Vermont and Northeastern in the Hockey East playoffs. This season they are looking forward to playing tough games like these against every team they meet on the ice.
When asked what the hardest game of the season would be, MacDonald answered, “The next one.” Because UMass Lowell plays the hardest teams in the country, every game will be highly competitive for the River Hawks.
“We compete in the best hockey conference in the country, and what makes it the best is the quality of the teams from top to bottom,” says Athletic Director Dana Skinner. “There’s no such thing as an easy game in Hockey East, so it will be important to get off to a good start and sustain a high level of intensity every night.”
The River Hawks started off strong in the home opener against Colgate University Friday, Oct. 23 beating the Red Raiders 5-3. On Oct. 24, the River Hawks improved to 3-1-0 on the young season while earning their first conference victory over the Northeastern Huskies 3-1 .
“It’s going to be exciting to get back to the Tsongas Arena since we last swept Maine,” says MacDonald, “and to once again continue to ignite a growing fan base with exciting hockey.”
“We’ve worked hard over the years to develop the Blue Fan Group, and our students have responded,” says Skinner. “Home games at the Tsongas Arena have become enjoyable social events on campus – it's where students get together whether they are hockey fans or not.”
Senior Ben Holmstrom stresses the importance of having support at the games.
“Our fan base and student section have been unreal over the last few seasons and we really feed off of their energy,” he says. “It's a great feeling being on that ice when the arena is pumping and the students are going nuts, so we’re ready to give our fans an exciting game against Colgate and an exciting season.”