AMHERST, Mass. – An early upset bid came up short as the Long Island University men's lacrosse team fell by a 14-10 final against the 12th-ranked University of Massachusetts on Tuesday, March 10.
 
The Blue and Gold gave the Minutemen all they could handle for three quarters, taking a 9-8 advantage into the final stanza. Jake Gillis scored just over two minutes into the final quarter to give the Sharks a two-goal lead with 12:40 to play.
 
The momentum was halted quickly when UMass scored just 30 seconds later to spark a four-goal burst over the next 3:36 to take a 12-10 lead midway through the period. Both teams were unable to find the back of the net as both goalies combined for six saves until the Minutemen finally broke through with 1:34 to play. With the Sharks forced to press out on defense, UMass scored one final tally with an empty cage to put the game away for the 14-10 final.
 
Will Mark finished with 18 saves, one shy of his own program record. Offensively, Will Snelders, Gillis, Nick Grassa, and Dylan Villari scored two goals each, while Richie LaCalandra and Sean Boll tallied one goal. Grassa tacked on two assists and LaCalandra added three helpers for a team-best four points each. Ryan Blume led the Sharks with six ground balls.
 
LIU will open Northeast Conference play on Saturday, March 14 when it travels to the New Jersey Institute of Technology. Due to ongoing COVID-19 (coronavirus) precautions, spectators will not be permitted at Mal Simon Stadium for Saturday's contest. Instead fans can catch all of the action by tuning in to NEC Front Row. Live video can be found on the men's lacrosse schedule page, or by downloading the NEC On the Run app on all mobile and streaming devices. Live stats are also available at LIUAthletics.com.