LOWELL, MA – The NJIT men's lacrosse team concluded their 2018 season with a 9-3 loss to UMass Lowell on Saturday afternoon.

In his second start of the year, freshman goalie Alexzander Hunt recorded a career-best 15 saves.

Freshman Collin Fogerty posted a goal and an assist while Ryan Kaden and Max Wilson tallied the other goals for the Highlanders. Vincent D'Agostino and Cole Robillard added assists.

John Tachon recorded a team-high 11 ground balls and Matthew Valdez three caused turnovers.

For the River Hawks, Austin Lane grabbed a hat-trick and an assist, while Jon Phillips added two goals and one assist on his senior day.

UMass Lowell took a 2-0 lead heading into the second quarter

The Highlanders got on the board in the second at 11:34 with a goal by Fogerty from a nice pass into the middle from Robillard.

Wilson tied it up off an outside shot from D'Agostino at the five minute mark tying up the game at 2-2.

With less than 30 seconds remaining in the second quarter, the River Hawks made one last attempt, but was stopped by Hunt, who made seven saves in the first half.

Lane broke the scoring drought in the third at 9:16, and UMass Lowell added on another three in the third to cushion their lead.

Kaden added his goal with 32 seconds left in the third to cut the River Hawk lead to three.

The River Hawks converted a man-up goal in the first seven seconds of the fourth to extend their lead and would score two more goals in the fourth for the final 9-3 score.

Freshman Hunter Braun made eight saves in the win for UMass Lowell.

The Highlanders end their season boasting a 1-15 record, playing a program high 16 games in the season.

Aaron Forster led the team in goals with 30, assists with 13 for 43 total points. He ties both of his records for assists in a season and points in a season.

Junior Robillard recorded his best season to date, producing 20 goals and six assists, 19 more points than his 2017 campaign.

Sophomore defenseman John Tachon broke the NJIT records for ground balls in a season grabbing 94 this year and career ground balls with 165.

The Highlanders lose seniors Nick Marzullo, Mark Bannon, Matthew Valdez and manager Ishmael Menns.

Marzullo is the NJIT leader in all-time saves with 579, and Valdez is the leader in career games played with 57 and career caused turnovers with 37.