Warriors score first, but UMass found the game-winner in the third period for the second night in a row
UMass completed a weekend sweep of the Warriors on Saturday night with a 3-1 win at the Mullins Center.
Merrimack opened the scoring when Trevor Hoskins buried his sixth goal of the season at the 18:35 mark of the first period — his second tally of the weekend.
The Warriors carried that lead deep into the second period before Lukáš Klečka pulled the Minutemen even at 14:17.
UMass took control early in the third, as Lucas Olvestad scored the eventual game-winner at 3:28, and Larry Keenan sealed it with an empty-netter in the final minute.
Max Lundgren was sharp in defeat, stopping 38 shots for Merrimack. The Warriors also had to navigate a tense stretch in the second period after Justin Gill was assessed a contact-to-the-head major and game misconduct, forcing Merrimack to kill off an extended penalty.
Special teams were largely a non-factor. Merrimack had just one power play on the night, while UMass went 0-for-4, including the five-minute major.
The Warriors return to action Thursday night at home against Northeastern. The teams will meet again Friday night at Lawler Arena to close out the two-game set.