(Photo Courtesy of Yale Athletics)

After suffering their first loss last weekend in upset fashion, the Yale Bulldogs have gotten back in the win column with an 18-9 victory on the road against the UMass Minutemen.

Matt Brandau put up eight points off four goals and four assists to lead the way for the Bulldogs while Chris Lyons had five goals. Leo Johnson and Johnny Keib each had two. Jared Paquette anchored the Yale defense a career-high 22 saves and a 73.3% save percentage. Nicholas Ramsey went 12-for-23 (52%) at the faceoff dot.

Despite an even open frame that saw UMass jump ahead 3-2, Yale would soon pull away. Johnny Keib first of the day sparked what would be come a game-changing, six-goal run that pulled the Bulldogs ahead 8-3 late in the first half. It was one of two major scoring runs for the Bulldogs as they also put home five in a row from late in the third through late in the fourth, getting them to 18 and really putting this contest away.

A big part of Yale’ success on the day came in the middle of the field where the Bulldogs’ ride gave UMass plenty of trouble. UMass was held to a 14-for-22 (63%) mark in the clearing game. That included a 2-for-5 (40%) mark in the second quarter alone and 5-for-11 (45%) mark in the entire first half. The Minutemen also had 11 turnovers to Yale’s 6 during those first two frames. Yale held an 11-15 edge in the turnover department on the day. Yale caused seven of those 15 UMass turnovers.

Shane O’Leary and Grant Breyo out home a pair of consecutive goals to stop the big Yale run the second quarter and make it a three-goal, 8-5, game. However, that would be as close as UMass was able to come within the Bulldogs once they got hot. UMass was held to just four goals in the second half.

Gabriel Procyk led UMass with a hat trick on the day whole Grant Breyo had two goals and one assist. Matt Knote made 16 saves with a 47% save percentage.

Harvard Blast Vermont

The Harvard Crimson earned their second win of the season on Friday night as they defeated the Vermont Catamounts 12-5.

Riding behind a 13-save day from Christian Barnard, the Harvard defense had a stellar day as it allowed just five goals from the Vermont offense. That included holding the Catamounts to just two goals in the second half. Charlie Muller helped lead the way out in front of the cage with two caused turnovers and a ground ball.

Hayden Cheek (4G) and Miles Botkiss (2G/2A) led the way for the Harvard offense. That unit was unstoppable for a good chunk of the game, scoring nine unanswered from the 6:07 mark in the first through the 4:39 mark of the second. The Crimson added one more to make it a 10-3 game at the break.

A low-scoring third quarter saw Vermont’s Charles Huntley have the only goal during that frame. Joe Dowling and Hayden Cheek put in a pair early in the fourth to help finish things off. Nick Alviti’s pole goal was the final of the game, getting Vermont to five.

Harvard moves to play Michigan at home next week. Vermont will

LIU Nabs First Win of Jordan Levine Era

The LIU Sharks earned their first win under new head coach Jordan Levine on Friday afternoon, knocking off UMass Lowell 12-8 in a road contest.

LIU found themselves down 4-2 at the end of the first half but a seven-goal third quarter helped them put together the second half comeback. The Sharks scored each of the first seven scores of the third quarter and added four more throughout the final two frames to pull away and secure the win.

Brad Beck (3G/1A) and Sean Boll (3G) each notched hat trick to help lead the way for the Sharks in the victory. Sean Gillman anchored the LIU defense with 11 saves and a 57.9% save percentage.

Nick Harvath led UMass Lowell with four points off two goals and two assists. Riley Lawhorn had a hat trick while  Sean Parker also found the back of the net twice.

LIU moves to face VMI next Saturday in what will be the MAAC opener for both teams. UMass Lowell hits the road next for a midweek matchup with Jacksonville.