LOWELL, MA (Dec. 1, 2006) – Brayden Irwin (Toronto, ONT) scored the game-winning goal and added an assist as No. 18 Vermont defeated UMass Lowell, 2-1, in college hockey action Friday night at Tsongas Arena.

With the loss, UML slips to 3-7-3 overall and 2-5-2 in Hockey East while the Catamounts improve to 9-4-1 overall and 6-1-1 in the league.

In addition to Irwin, Brayden Myers (South Boston, MA) scored for Vermont. Jason Tejchma (Muskegon, MI) scored for the River Hawks.

Both UVM goals came on deflections in front of the net. Myers struck first, batting a shot from Patrick Cullity out of midair at 13:35 in the first period.

At 9:26 of the third, with the game even 1-1, Irwin redirected a shot from Evan Scoflet past Lowell goaltender Carter Hutton (Thunder Bay, ONT).

Three minutes before Irwin’s goal, Tejchma netted the equalizer at 6:28 of the period when he slammed home a rebound in front of the net. Todd Fletcher (Chelmsford, MA) and Jeremy Dehner (Madison, WI) earned the assists.

Joe Fallon picked up the win with 17 saves for UVM. Hutton had 17 saves, but took the loss. For only the second time in 11 games, the River Hawks were out-shot, as UVM held a 19-18 advantage. Each team was 0-for-2 on the power play in the contest. UML is 18-for-21 (85.7%) on the penalty kill in its six games.

“It was a tightly contested game,” said UML head coach Blaise MacDonald. “Obviously getting opportunities against a very good defensive team like Vermont is difficult, but I thought we had a few. We had enough good chances and we have to convert on those. I love the effort, I love the determination. There’s a lot to like about the game, but the result isn’t what we want.”

The River Hawks return to the ice Wednesday night to host New Hampshire. The Catamounts are next in action Sunday afternoon when they visit UNH.