Connector 10/21

Game reviews ◄ ‘Evil

Within’, ‘Super Smash Bros.’ , ‘Alien-Isolation’

â–ş Starting on Page 6

THE UMASS LOWELL

Serving the Student Body Since 1976

October 21, 2014

River Hawks turn it up to eleven

ETIC welcomes cutting-edge Raytheon research facility

Shane Foley Connector Editor

The UMass Lowell hockey team continued finding the back of the net in last Friday’s action. Scoring 11 goals in their first two games, they beat the Quinnipiac Bobcats by a score of 6-3.

Despite the big score, this was a fairly close game for the first two periods. Six of the nine goals of the game were scored in the third period. The beginning of the game was closely fought, with both teams trading goals and hits alike.

The River Hawks set the physical tone of the game right at the start. With 20 seconds elapsed in the game, Evan Campbell, center, delivered a vicious hit on an opposing player. Both teams had their opponent on the boards the entire game. Head Coach Norm Bazin was happy to get back to “Lowell style hockey�. “Both teams made their opponent own their ice,� said Coach Bazin. “You had to skate through a lot of traffic.�

While the Bobcats came out shooting, the River Hawks were the first to score. Sophomore Chris Maniccia took a quick feed from Robert Francis from behind the net and popped it in. His was the lone goal of the first period.

The second period continued the tight play, with one goal a piece for both teams. It was a great 25 minutes for freshman CJ Smith, who was voted the number one “star of the game.� He racked up an assist in the second period and a goal in the beginning of the third period.The goal that Smith assisted on was scored by Michael Kapla. He took a pass from Joe Gambardella, and fed Kapla with perfect position to snap off the goal.

Smith’s assist was so well placed, the shot was a no-brainer for Kapla. He didn’t feel the need to explain much about his shot selection after the game. “[Smith] passed it to me.

I shot the puck,� said Kapla.

The second period was also a very strong period for goalie Kevin Boyle, who stopped 10 of 11 shots. Quinnipiac had the puck in UML’s end as much as UML had it in Quinnipiac’s. ►See Hockey, Page 12

Final River Hawk Scores Team

Score

Overall Record

M. Soccer vs. Stony Brook

W 2-1

5-8-1

Field Hockey vs. Dartmouth

W1-0

5-10

W. Soccer vs. UVM

W 1-0

5-8-1

Volleyball vs. UVM

L 0-3

2-20

M. Ice Hockey vs. Quinnipiac

T 3-3

2-0-1

Dave Rudderham/Connector

A large plastics room on the first floor of the $80 million facility.

Dave Rudderham Connector Editor

The Raytheon-UMass Lowell Research Institute officially opened with a recent ribbon cutting ceremony at the newly constructed Mark and Elisia Saab Emerging Technologies and Innovation Center. The building is an $80 million, 84,000-square-foot research facility making it one of 10 new buildings opened by UMass Lowell since 2009.

During the ceremony, Raytheon workers toured the new building and observed some of UMass Lowell’s best and brightest students show off new technology, as well as ideas developed by students and faculty. One of these best and brightest was JeongIn Gug, a UML student who works in plastics engineering on the first floor of the new building. “Here we do the research and the property test before it gets sent to practical applications,� said Gug, standing in front of a large mechanical injection-molding machine Injection molding is just one part of

the process and that the amount of digital microscope operates. She filler used can determine whether pressed some keys on the computer or not the plastic is flexible or hard- and the microscope began to scan the microchip and it automatically ened, he said.

Down the hall on the same floor zoomed in and focused to where was a display for the iglobe, a large she wanted it, as if it were a robot. diameter spherical screen. Imagine UML students worked on the a large high definition television microchip that was scanned under being bent around a curve until the the microscope, which representscreen made a perfect sphere. Now ed what can be done with what is imagine that TV still works after- known as a flexible substrate. These ward. Interesting technology such chips are tiny and durable and they as this were displayed throughout can bend without breaking. It is this technology that makes up the the building.

The Raytheon-UMass Lowell RFID tags that all the attendees Research Institute (RURI) is lo- were wearing. “These microscopes are very cated on the fourth floor, and it is here that students will be focusing powerful and can give the user a on electrical and computer engi- detailed view of anything,â€? said neering while collaborating with Apelin as she rotated a knob and the company. The nametags of all showed how the sides of the chip the attendees that night featured can also be viewed. radio-frequency identification â–şSee Raytheon, Page 5 (RFID) tags, something Sections that the new institute specializes in.

Ali Apelin, a represen- General........................ 2 A&E.......................... 6-9 tative from Raytheon, ex- News............................ 4 Sports.......................... 11 plained to onlookers how the business’ VHX-5000

UM ASS L OWELL C ONNECTOR

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ATTENTION STUDENTS

October 21, 2014

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THE UMASS LOWELL

Serving the Student Body Since 1976

UMASS LOWELL CONNECTOR

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Staff

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October 21, 2014

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CAMPUS LIFE

Freshman perspective: UMass Lowell after seven weeks Meghan Driscoll

Connector Contributor

Starting college is like trying a new food. Everyone can tell you different things about it, but you have to experience it for yourself. So, here I am, giving you my perspective of what it’s like to be a freshman this year at UMass Lowell.

Moving in to my residence hall, I had a wide range of mixed emotions, similar to every other freshman. I was sad about leaving my family back home, but, being so over high school, I was looking forward to a new life and a change of pace.

Move-in day was chaos, but when I finally made it up the six, long, tiring flights in Fox Hall (did I say tiring?), I discovered my new home would be on a renovated floor, one with air conditioning and heating. It was safe to say my college life was off to a great start.

Finally settled in, it was time to make friends -the most dreadful part of all. I contacted a friend I had met at orientation, and we met up. She brought her roommate along, I brought mine, and right off the bat, we were a group of four. Together, we celebrated the five days before classes began.

Finding where my classes were located the day before they started was extremely helpful. I figured if I could avoid the classic freshman acts like taking out a map, or walking aimlessly around campus, I could avoid anything.

The first day of classes was fine, but walking to them was a hassle, and crossing the streets was my main source of frustration. I wasn’t born and raised in a city, but I do know pedestrians shouldn’t walk across the street if cars have the green left arrow.

Knowing that, I resisted peer pressure and patiently waited for the walk signal, obliterating the whole “I’m not a freshman” act. After about a week, I lost

my patience. I’m now seven weeks in, and jaywalking has become one of my areas of expertise.

Somewhere around the second week mark, I had to face my biggest fear: eating alone. My friend, who

Christopher Tran/Connector

Fox Hall is the primary residence hall for UMass Lowell freshmen, which houses more than 800 students.

had a class on South Campus, didn’t give herself enough time to eat breakfast at the dining hall with me. But I was hungry, so I walked in, acting all cool and casual, but trying to hide my tears at the same time. My sister, a sophomore at UMass Amherst, assured me that people eat alone at the dining hall all the time. Her words of encouragement made me feel a little better, but it didn’t cure the loneliness I felt in the two-person booth, nor prevent the pitiful stares I felt I was receiving from people that actually had a buddy to sit with.

People complain about dining hall food, but I don’t understand why. There’s always something readily available, unlike at my house where I’m ei-

ther complaining we have no food or preparing the only dish I know how to: cereal. I really can’t complain about the dining hall, except that it’s costing me a fortune to have an unlimited meal plan.

College is much different from my public high school. First, I don’t have to wake up at an ungodly hour every day and then be forced to throw my coffee in the trash because of potential “spilling.” I no longer have to deal with the “can I/may I” situation after I ask to use the bathroom. My classes don’t continuously run from the crack of dawn to mid-afternoon. Instead, I have breaks, like a human being should be given. Unlike high school, I can’t slack my way through college. There’s no more faking sick, getting unexcused absences, tardies, and dismissals. I am well aware that I’m paying to be here.

If I want to pay to sleep and eat all day, I’m wasting my time, and I’m also an idiot. I make it my first priority to get up, go to classes, and complete my work on time.

Being part of the Business Innovation LLC has definitely helped me. Every class I take has one of my floor mates, so if I’m ever in need of help on an assignment, they’re down the hall. I love my floor because everyone’s outgoing and easy to get along with. They’re loud, though -- extremely loud -- which can be so annoying when I want to sleep, but my friends visit my floor and then go on to complain about their floor always being dead silent, which I wouldn’t want.

College has been quite the experience so far. I enjoy the freedom, though not so much the responsibility. The walk over the Howe Bridge is a sight I’ll never quite get used to, and I’m genuinely happy with the friends I’ve met here.

Leaders with backpacks: ROTC members stand out at UMass Lowell Robert Shaffer

Connector Contributor

To nonmember students, the uniformed cadets of UMass Lowell’s ROTC program stand apart on campus thanks to their noticeable composure, helpfulness and poise. While ROTC leadership said they keep a humble view of the program’s stature and activities, UMass Lowell nonmember students see cadets as a notable part of campus life.

Open to any UMass Lowell student, the Reserve Officer’s Training Corps (ROTC) allows students to get a glimpse of what is needed and can be expected in pursuing a military career. Based out of Mahoney Hall, the Army and the Air Force both have ROTC branches on campus.

The ROTC is an elective program that complements a student’s traditional college degree. The program’s selection of classes and training is designed to give cadets the knowledge needed to become successful Army or Air Force officers, said Army ROTC Military Science Instructor Scott Wallace. Wallace is one of three instructors from whom Army cadets learn.

Upon completion of the four-year ROTC program and receiving a college degree, cadets become officers in their respective military branches. Although the ROTC is primarily aimed at students who have an interest in becoming career military officers, they accept students of any major and any year, Wallace said.

Just as a four-year degree is divided into the freshman, sophomore, junior and senior years, the ROTC is broken down into Military Science years: MSI, MSII, MSIII and MSIV. Students do not have

to commit to future military service until after they complete the MSII year, Wallace, who is the military science instructor for Army ROTC MSII cadets, said.

While academic in nature, the ROTC gives cadets the lessons and insights that are necessary in leading a successful military and civilian life. Wallace said the ROTC is, “a way for students to see what right looks like. It’s a leadership course.”

To students who are not in the ROTC, the leadership of cadets stands out among the UMass Lowell population. Nicholles Klevisha, an English major in his senior year, said that uniformed ROTC students project a sense of reserve and calm stronger than that of students not in the program.

Walking around South Campus, Klevisha said he has seen cadets drilling in practice for various military tasks. “I find it fascinating,” he said. “Intrigue is the overall feeling.”

Students have also taken note of how outgoing and helpful cadets are. “They are pretty nice dudes,” said junior William Dansereau, a criminal justice major.

Through experiences with ROTC members at Marshall University and UMass Lowell, Dansereau said that he has found cadets to be eager to lend a hand to others. “They will always give you a response to a question,” Dansereau said.

The interested, respectful reaction of students is something Wallace said he and others in the ROTC acknowledge and appreciate. Wallace said that the UMass Lowell campus is a welcoming place for cadets and there is no trouble or friction to be found.

“If even anything, we’re ignored,” he said in jest.

Paige Maguire, a junior at UMass Lowell, said she has seen first-hand the high level of conduct ROTC cadets are known for.

Courtesy Photo

Armed forces members and veterans pay tribute at UMass Lowell Textile Memorial on Pawtucket Street.

Maguire said she had considered joining the ROTC when she was an underclassman. “I have a few friends in the program,” she said. “There’s a lot you can do with it.”

Maguire once saw a cadet salute one of her friends due to differences in rank. She said she was impressed by the level of respect and commitment that existed between the two cadets, though they were of the same age.

Wallace said the ideal ROTC candidates are those who can be described using the abbreviation S.A.L.: student, athlete, leader. According to student responses, the cadets that fit this abbreviation are a unique and special part of the UMass Lowell community. “It’s a reputable group,” Maguire said.

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October 21, 2014

NEWS Rourke Bridge construction to end in October A permanent solution is upwards of a decade away

UM ASS L OWELL C ONNECTOR

South Campus dining 2016: a first glimpse meeting rooms and study areas will be located on this level, as well as six large seminar rooms. The existing connector to O’Leary Library will remain As south campus residents and patrons become intact, but will be renovated along with the exteriaccustomed to the crumbling balconies and the or. The fourth floor will be reserved for mechanical shouted jargon of construction workers, many space and operation. Gavriel and his team estimatquestions remain regarding the outcome of this ed the total cost of this project to be $33 million. project and what the impact on campus will be.

Many students support the construction that is The building formerly known as McGauvran taking place on South, regardless of the cost. “I Student Center is to be repurposed to include new think it’s worth it. The dining dining options and stuhall on South is really dated,” dent facilities. The cursaid Elsbeth Crowe, 20, a junior rent dining hall building psychology major. that contains the Mill Phillip Wakefield, 21, music City Restaurant will be business major, expressed his subsequently torn down opinion of the project when he as part of an effort “to said, “I’m really excited about create a new green space the new dining hall, however, on campus,” said Fred I’m a senior so I won’t be able to Gavriel, project managsee it when it’s done, but for the er. students who will see it…I hope “What set the stage for they have better quality food and this,” said Carla Morelli, are able to diversify their palate senior campus planner, as a result.” “is that we have a camOthers gave their approval pus-wide strategic plan in the name of nutrition and to the year 2020…and variety as well. “I think there in that plan…we conshould be healthier options,” centrated specifically on said Kristy Robertson, 19, nutrithe south campus sector tion major. and realized there was While many students agreed an underserved need in that this transformation is for the dining realm, where David Rudderham/Connector the better, some collaborated the the students were being sentiment that McGauvran Hall adequately served, but The McGauvran constuction site during rennovaition. cility.”

The first floor will be comprised of tradiwill be missed despite what is to come. “There used the staff and faculty and visitors really weren’t. We tional dining services as well as accommodations to be fantastic pool tables there, the video game wanted to serve them as well.”

Students who live off campus were thought of as for patrons with dietary needs and restrictions. The systems were awesome, and there was a great a part of the proposal, too. “In creating this new second floor will feature a retail dining space with opportunity for the clubs,” said Wakefield.

Regardless of the cost and the benefits, this projdining hall there will be a place where people will restaurants such as Freshii and Subway. This level ect will transform both the appearance of and be able to get a late meal on campus,” Morelli will also include a bakery and a convenient store.

The plan also contains other student facilities the experience on South Campus. This project is explained. Bo Armstrong, 18, a freshman commutthat will be located on the third floor. Classrooms, expected to be completed by Nov., 2016.

Connector Staff

Connector Editor

Karla Garcia/Connector

The scenic Rourke Bridge, will take upwards of ten years to complete.

part of a full consensus on the issue of getting the bridge completed. “We’re concerned about how [businesses] get their workforce here in the morning and what makes Lowell an attractive place to do business,” Coughlin said.

For more information on the Rourke Bridge construction effort, The Corridor and Feasibility Study official document is available to the public at RourkeBridgeStudy.com.

If you have questions or comments on this story, email the author at alexander_gentile@student.uml.edu.

Staff Writer Michael Caizzi contributed student prerspectives to this report.

Page 5

NEWS Samuel Linstead-Atkinson

Al Gentile

Recent construction on the Rourke Bridge in Lowell has redirected large amounts of traffic onto the University Bridge route, heavily affecting both native North Campus and inter-Campus travel. Students and Lowell citizens at large are asking themselves, “What’s going on? When will this be over?”

Many students have been affected by the recent work on the bridge. Tyler Chase, a psychology major, claimed it took him nearly 45 minutes to travel between South and North Campus.

For Ric Johnson, a psychology major, the new construction is a mixed bag. “Sometimes you can catch it at a good time and it won’t be that bad, but around rush hour it’s god-awful.” Sarah Steinburg, a nursing major, said she has to leave earlier because of the traffic.

The Rourke Bridge, as it stands now, was built in 1983 as a temporary solution to connecting the towns of Chelmsford, Tyngsboro, Dracut and Lowell to establish a more receptive environment for different developments.

According to Kevin Coughlin, deputy director of the Department of Planning and Development, this temporary bridge was meant to last for only eight to ten years while work on a permanent bridge was to be planned.

One of the key problems, Coughlin said, is that there are simply more cars on the road than there were at the time of the building of the temporary bridge. “You have a lot more vehicles, number one, and you’ve got roadways that were not meant to carry that amount of traffic,” Coughlin said.

Justin Howard of the Northern Middlesex Council of Governments said that the construction taking place now is part of a Current maintenance to replace surface panels continuing maintenance effort that began in 2007 at a cost of approximately $14 million dollars. Depending on traffic patterns throughout the day, either side of the bridge would close in an effort to replace the panels that lay on top of the bridge, and this stage of maintenance is to end by the end of October.

The Corridor and Feasibility Study, a $500,000 effort funded by the Massachusetts Department of Transportation and overseen by the Northern Middlesex Council of Governments, was executed by municipal officials and consultants from many fields of expertise to determine the best course of action for a permanent solution. The study, according to Howard, makes “preliminary” design recommendations as well as outlines a wide range of concerns with new construction plans which include environmental, economic and safety considerations.

“Out of the study came three different alternatives,” Howard said.

The first alternative, according to Howard, was to erect a bridge in the exact spot the temporary bridge is currently located, costing an estimated $54 million dollars. A second alternative was to skew the bridge slightly to the west, beginning where J.J. Boomer’s parking lot is, at a cost of around $60 million dollars.

The third alternative is to skew the bridge even further west, at a cost of approximately $67.8 million dollars.

“All of the alternatives,” Howard said, “include widening it to four lanes, providing areas for bike lanes on either side and sidewalks on either side.”

During the design and environmental permitting process, which will take approximately five years, “one of the alternatives will stand out,” Howard said.

Once one of the alternatives has been decided on, Howard said actual construction will take around three years.

Changing priorities, according to Coughlin, has kept the temporary bridge in place far longer than expected. New municipal and regional administrations, emerging issues and different budget proposals have pushed the construction back to where we are today.

Coughlin offered hope that the recent work with the feasibility study is

October 21, 2014

er, summed up the benefit this held for him when he said, “That’s great. We need something like that.”

Options will exist, too, for those who are unable to sit for a hot meal. Frozen and pre-prepared food will be marketed as a solution for such patrons.

With this, Morelli said, “the commuter experience will be enhanced.”

Upon completion, Gavriel affirms, the first and second floors will debut “a world-class dining fa-

Raytheon welcomed by UMass Lowell ►Continued from front page

The chip looked as if it Li represents exactly the sort of bright-minded was rotating on an axis, student that will be workallowing the user to see ing in RURI, in a marit in three dimensions without the image ever riage between high tech and learning, between going out of focus.

Raytheon and UMass Down the hall was Lowell. Paul Ferraro, Peilong Li, a UML stuthe V.P. of Raytheon, exdent explaining his diagram for a faster processplained this marriage succinctly. ing chip. Him and his colleagues found a way “It’s a place where academics and industry of attaching an accelerator to an Intel i7 chip that can meet over coffee and would allow the clock lunch,” says Ferraro. Other speakers before the ribspeed to be considerably bon cutting shared his enfaster.

Although it sounds thusiasm and optimism similar to overclocking, for what the Vice-Provost for Research Julie Chen this accelerator does it referred to as “A place in a way that consumes far less energy and therewhere ingenuity meets fore doesn’t cause overindustry.”

David Rudderham/Connector heating despite being Chancellor Marty Meehan said, “We hope it so effective at boosting The iglobe, a large three-dimensional screen clock-processing speeds. “It doesn’t have the energy becomes a model for industry,” in his speech in a consumption problem,” said Li while comparing room crowded with Raytheon workers and faculan accelerated chip to a normal one. ty. “We’re very proud to be the first institution for

Raytheon to partner with.”

Other speakers included Congresswoman Niki Tsongas, Mayor of Lowell Rodney Elliot, and the Dean of Engineering Joe Hartman. All of them welcomed Raytheon. “I look forward to what will be great outcomes,” said Tsongas.

The speakers also emphasized how this will help the engineering student body find what Ferraro called “meaningful employment.” This partnership with Raytheon will also help the company locate the best minds for their positions within the company while boosting UMass Lowell’s level of prestige as a school for engineers.

Chen explained the importance of this project in her speech. “The development of talent...is so important to what we do as a community, as an ecosystem,” said Chen.

This partnership and new building has been the result of years of hard work from UMass Lowell faculty and alumni that started all the way back even before 2010 when the project for a new research facility broke ground. However, the real project has only just begun with RURI and as Hartman said, “The real work starts now.”

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October 21, 2014

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT

What ‘Resident Evil 5’ should have been Greg Alexandropoulos Connector Staff

Although the combat is strong, there is a larger emphasis on stealth gameplay. Players can hide under beds, in closets and in other locations to avoid combat with enemies or to sneak up behind them.

Some sections require mandatory stealth play, whereas others allow players to choose whether they want to take a challenge head-on or stay hidden. It is consistently thrilling and interesting to try out different strategies.

Between the stealth play and the combat segments, “The Evil Within” is paced extremely well and will keep players entertained until the end.

First and foremost, people need to understand one thing: “The Evil Within” is a very important video game for the industry. Big budget horror games do not happen very often, and this project, from “Resident Evil” creator Shinji Mikami, needed to be a hit. This is important not just for horror fans, but to show everyone that these games can move units and have mass appeal.

Horror games have always been known as the “ultimate rental”: you play through it once, enjoy the scary thrill ride and never play it Courtesy of Tango Gameworks/Bethesda Softworks again. These titles just don’t make money.

Sure, “Dead Space” was a smash hit, but that was 2008. It’s 2014, and video game budgets are through the roof. We won’t see its sales figures for a while, but “The Evil Within” may just be everything “Resident Evil 5” should have been.

The game plays pretty much how gamers would expect from a Mikami project: exactly like “Resident Evil 4”… with some twists. There is a higher emphasis on stealth than usual, and ammunition is extremely limited. There are very few instances where the player will be fully stocked with items and equipment: “The Evil Within” forces the player to strategize and use resources sparingly.

Beyond the typical handgun/shotgun items, the player is given the Agony CrossThere are very few dull or frustrating moments. bow very early on, and with that, they can create However, the game is not perfect. Enemy damage trap-bolts to combat against enemies in a variety of is extremely bloated, akin to the “Dark Souls” franways. There are explosive, flash bang, and freeze chise, so you will find yourself dangerously low in bolts, among others, that can be used against ene- health for most of the game. Because of frequent mies directly or to set traps for them to walk into. save points and checkpoints and the low efficiency On top of this, players can upgrade their weapons of healing items, it is often more useful to die and and abilities with a very thorough upgrade system. reload a save point rather than wasting all of your (This is similar to the money system of “Resident healing resources.

Evil 4,” except this time currency is “green gel.”)

Also, there are a few too many one-hit-death atOverall, the combat and gunplay are highly enjoy- tacks from bosses; this could have been avoided via able from start to finish.

“Resident Evil 4” quick-time events or some sort

Kimbra’s ‘The Golden Echo:’ Welcome to Divatown Al Gentile Connector Staff

Kimbra’s “The Golden Echo” is a such musical quilt of disparate styles – ranging from ‘70s funk and soul to ‘80s urban pop, ‘90s R&B and modern psychedelic electronics – that it’s impossible to place in one genre. This helps make her most recent effort so endearing.

Kimbra is no stranger to history. Her debut album “Vows” (2011) tackled her jazz roots and focused more on vocal dexterity. “The Golden Echo” takes it a step further by delving into the music that she grew up with: at 24, she’s no stranger to the above influences and more, and her newest effort is a way to capitalize on that history.

The layering on this album is what makes each song her own. The more original pieces like “Teen Heat” and “Carolina” are soaked in lush synthesizers with pop song structures. “’90s Music,” the flagship track, brings us to a new space where hard urban hip-hop meets The Flaming Lips. “Miracle” is very Diana Ross-esque and “Madhouse” is surely a tip to Janet Jackson.

A real stand-out on the album is the track “Everlovin’ Ya,” which features New York neo-soul artist Bilal. Very much reminiscent of Zappa’s jazzier moods on “G-Spot Tornado,” the hard, droning beat and thick synths create a wide cosmic soundscape. Bilal’s voice injects a veltety texture into the piece that awkardly tries to ground this space-jazz tune.

From straightforward modern pop to psychedelic-tinged Parliament funk, this album has no place for minimalists. It’s big, deep and makes interesting, though sometimes contrived, turns throughout. Know ahead of time that if you’re looking for a genre album, you will be sorely disappointed.

of dodge mechanic. Constant dying and restarting checkpoints during boss encounters tend to break up the immersion of the experience rather than feel like a challenge.

The narrative in “The Evil Within” also suffers from a few flaws. The main characters are under-acted and a bit deadpan in their approach to telling this otherwise interesting psychological-horror story. To avoid spoilers: there are some very intriguing and sad bits of back-story that never get talked about, or fully fleshed out, which is a shame, because “The Evil Within,” for all its craziness, is not too far-fetched or ridiculous. The story isn’t necessarily believable, but it’s nothing to laugh at, either. The developers did a good job setting up the atmosphere for almost every segment of the game and really made it come alive. It does tend to jump around a lot, with the excuse being it’s all one big mind-game, but the story remains interesting all the way up until its satisfying conclusion.

Unfortunately, the biggest problem with “The Evil Within,” despite all of its positive qualities, is that you can’t shake the feeling that it’s just another “Resident Evil 4” clone. Yes, Mikami was the director of both games, but it’s time to let “Resident Evil 4” go.

“The Evil Within” looks like “Resident Evil 4,” plays like “Resident Evil 4” and the enemies act just like they did in “Resident Evil 4.” This is just the same game from 10 years ago, but more difficult and slightly sloppier.

It’s highly enjoyable, but ultimately forgettable. The influence “Resident Evil 4” had on the industry was massive, but those gameplay tropes have been tired out and overused.

Yes, this is the game “Resident Evil 5” should have been, but If Shinji Mikami wants to revive survival-horror, we need to see something new.

Final Grade: B-

“One pillow isn’t enough but two pillows is too much. That’s literally the biggest problem in my life so I guess things really aren’t that bad” “The hallways here could be 500 feet wide and people would still be in the way” “Just saw a “this school sucks” yak get -5 in 10 seconds #proudtobeariverhawk” “DifferenceMaker Petition to make an app that tracks all three elevators in Fox Hall.”

“Relationship goal: a relationship.”

“I’m turning 21 in a little over a month and I still get carded at rated R movies……”

“Constantly having an internal fight with myself whether to become a drug dealer or stick with engineering”

Yik Yak Attack!

Henry St. Pierre Connector Staff

“Just sold my first born child and my soul to buy a UML Sweatshirt.” “did we ever stop kony?” “shoutout to the kid who dropped his laptop on the dining hall stairs, just shrugged and said ‘it doesn’t work anyways.’”

“Roommate just said that his apple tastes funny but it’s a pear and I don’t have the heart to tell him” “How am I supposed to get my life together when I have to say the whole alphabet to know which letter comes next” “Sitting in the dining hall watching people ferociously pump the ketchup when there is none left is too funny”

October 21, 2014

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ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT

3DS ‘Smashes’ into battle!

Daniel Medeiros Connector Contributor

“Super Smash Bros.” for Nintendo 3DS is the fourth game in Nintendo’s hit fighting game series, and the first to have been released in six years. “Super Smash Bros.” has been a much-loved series for both casual party and competitive tournament play. In many ways, Nintendo’s latest entry in the series lives up to the legacy of its predecessors. However, it has a few expected and unexpected flaws.

“Super Smash Bros. 3DS” hosts the largest character roster of all four games, with 51 characters compared to the 39 in “Super Smash Bros. Brawl” (Wii, 2008). Some characters, such as Snake from “Metal Gear Solid” and Ice Climbers, did not make the cut. However, there are plenty of returning characters and 15 new characters, including Wii Fit Trainer, Villager from “Animal Crossing,” Greninja from “Pokemon,” Mega Man and Pac-Man. One of the coolest new additions is Little Mac from “Punch Out.” His fighting style is heavily focused on ground combat, where he is incredibly powerful.

To offset this, he is incredibly weak in the air.

Pac-Man and Villager are really fun new characters with very quirky fighting styles. Pac-Man switches back and forth between his 2D and 3D versions for his different attacks, while Villager utilizes a multitude of odd items for his attacks, such as a bowling ball, a butterfly net and turnips.

The single player for the game admittedly feels lacking. The Classic and AllStar modes make a re-appearance, but the story mode was removed in favor of the new mode, Smash Run. In Smash Run, four players run around a large map fighting hordes of enemies from different games (think things like Goombas from “Mario” and Octoroks from “Legend of Zelda”). The whole time, they are collecting boosts to their stats. At the end of five minutes, the players compete in either a battle or race with their newly-boosted stats.

While this mode is certainly fun for a while, it does grow fairly frustrating and repetitive. The lack of a story is fairly disappointing, but it can be overlooked. There are challenges to complete that unlock equipment, trophies and maps, which help provide something for the player to strive for and encourage them to keep playing.

The gameplay seems to find a nice balance between that of “Super Smash Bros. Melee” (GameCube, 2001) and “Brawl.” It still provides a lot of fun for the casual player, but also provides more for competitive players than “Brawl” did. Some interesting things of note are the removal of random tripping and increased fall speed. “Smash Bros. 3DS” feels less floaty than “Brawl.” Also, large characters, such as Bowser, have been given noticeable improvements.

The new character customization is interesting enough, more so for the new Mii fighters. It is now possible to use Miis in battle and dress them up in different outfits, giving them different powers and bonuses from equipment. Miis

can either be based on a martial arts brawler, swordfighter or an arm-cannon gunner.

Customization for the other characters in the game is interesting, though one may wonder if it will see much use outside of casual play. Players can create custom versions of characters using new powers and equipment for stat changes.

The main and most important issue of the game lies within the multiplayer mode. Every map has a normal and competitive version that is playable. There even exists an online multiplayer option called “For Glory,” which allows players to compete, without items, on competitive versions of the maps. This is a fantastic decision on the developers’ part, but there are some serious issues with multiplayer performance.

While noticeably better than the online capabilities of “Brawl,” “Smash Bros.

3DS” can frequently suffer connection issues online. In a one-on-one fight, it is almost rarely noticeable. For many competitive players, this will be fine; once you increase the amount of players, though, the game can become near unplayable due to the connection problems.

The issue is not even limited to online play. Occasionally there are annoying local connection issues, which leads into another issue: the fun of a group of friends sitting around the TV together is lost when everyone is playing on different handhelds.

Finally, it should be noted that not having a 3DS XL could severely hurt you for this game. With an XL, the controls are easy enough to grasp after a little practice; a normal 3DS can be uncomfortable and more difficult to use due to its smaller size. It also makes it harder to keep track of everything on the smaller screen.

This latest “Super Smash Bros.” is a welcome addition to the series. That said, if you own a Wii U, you might want to wait for that version to get the most likely better experience.

Final Grade: B-

Speaker event: Louis Menand talks Warhol Samuel Linstead-Atkinson Connector Staff

Students, faculty and enthusiasts alike attended a presentation led by the writer and academic Louis Menand.

The talk detailed the influences and education of Andy Warhol. The artist and his association with the pop art movement inspired the Kerouac Literary Festival to host this event.

Menand began by linking Andy Warhol to figures surrounding and defining the Beat movement such as the poet Allen Ginsberg. “It’s...a challenge to talk about Andy Warhol in the context of the Beat movement and…the figure who really connects Warhol to the Beats is Allen Ginsberg,” Menand said. This notion of Warhol being a product of a number of influences was recurrent through Menand’s presentation.

There was a deliberate emphasis on Warhol’s unique and often iconic style.

“He had a distinctive, verbal style,” said Menand. This style emerged over multiple examples of the artist’s work, and the distinctive features of it were explained. Warhol’s silkscreen of a Campbell’s soup can received particular attention, as it was not only a theme through much of the Warhol’s work, but it was also referred to by several attendees of the event as a symbol of his career.

Menand also touched upon Warhol’s exploration into writing, filmmaking and even music. He recalled projects of which Warhol was associated with like the band, the Velvet Underground and a few of his radical films. Other works of Warhol were selected and analyzed, such as the Brillo Box, an exhibit composed of a cardboard box with a brand name on it. With this, Menand opened the room to the audience for questions and comments.

A few students and other attendees offered interpretations for various pieces

by Warhol. Others asked the speaker about his recent background in art history and about his interest in Warhol as a writer.

After the discussion ended, Menand signed books for those who had purchased them. Menand is the author of several books including, The Metaphysical Club.

Photo courtesy of Fred W McDarrah/ Time & Life Pictures/Getty Images

Andy Warhol films “Taylor Meade’s Ass” at his studio, The Factory, in 1964.

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October 21, 2014

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT ‘...And Star Power’ Foxygen album review Silas Price Connector Contributor

You’ve probably heard the music of Foxygen before. If not their own music, then you’re familiar with the pastiche of classic rock records that they have assimilated into their identity: blues, soft rock, progressive rock and folk all have a home here, and their sound is familiar and inviting. But, beneath the surface of saturated guitars, enduring hooks and the goofy band name, lurk sinister themes and unreliable narrators.

Having caught the indie rock world’s attention with last year’s impressive “We Are The 21st Century Ambassadors of Peace and Magic,” the band returns less than a year later with “…And Star Power,” a massive double album intended for “speedy freaks, skull krunchers, abductees and misfits.” It is no surprise that the record offers an impressive collection of psychedelic rock tropes, from modular synthesizers to nine-minute multi-part suites (complete with overture).

“Coulda Been My Love” and lead single “How Can You Really” offer straightforward pop songs to begin the record, relying on sweet melodies and simple instrumentation. But then we hear a distorted segue resembling a radio dial turning haphazardly, leading into the absolutely bonkers “Cosmic Vibrations,” and the true nature of the album becomes clear.

Foxygen take a page from contemporary

psych-rockers The Flaming Lips, a band notoriously prolific and recklessly experimental, to indulge in their darkest insanities and weirdness. Case in point: the album is a whopping 82 minutes long.

Not a second of this is wasted.

Sam France and Jonathan Rado still craft their songs like pop producers, but the arrangements are twitchy and unstable, and the band slips in cowbells, drum machines, horn sections and toy synths whenever they feel it is appropriate, any consistency be damned. The protagonists are lonely, agitated, paranoid, insane.

All the vocals were reportedly recorded on a cheap tape machine, which establishes a very lo-fi sound to this record. Much of it was likely conceived on tour for their previous album – a tour which was much gossiped about for tensions between various members of the band. Presumably these songs are where France and Rado, the songwriters and founding members, vented their stress.

While their previous album heavily explored themes of cults and lost love, this album bears the freakiness on its sleeve, and its anything-goes approach results in some alarming juxtapositions.

The organ-driven surf of “Hot Summer” goes right into the feedback-heavy trudge of “Cold Winter,” before diving into the piano-stomping “Freedom.”

It is a wild ride of extremes, and Foxygen puts almost everything they have into this record.

As a result, “…And Star Power” is difficult to lis-

ten to in one sitting. The band itself seems to get a bit exhausted halfway through. There are a lot of intros, outros, free-for-all jams and disorienting transitions. Any cohesiveness must be worked out by the listener.

The variety of influences inspire the extended runtime, but the songwriting and sequencing doesn’t always follow in step. Songs like “I Don’t Have Anything” and “Wally’s Farm” feel like slow-moving clutter, and honestly catchy tracks like “Mattress Warehouse” and “Cannibal Holocaust” can get lost in the maelstrom.

It’s hard to berate Foxygen, however, because they achieved exactly what they intended with this monster of a record. There’s something in “…

And Star Power” for everybody: some Velvet Underground here, some AC/DC there, a two-second soundbite of someone eating an apple close by. The album’s denouement, the seven-minute “Everyone Needs Love,” combines elements of Yes, Chicago and the Carpenters, complete with a soaring chord progression and the mantra, “You’ve got to hang on, hang on.” The song comes as a huge breath after the previous 70 minutes of schizophrenic chaos. “…And Star Power” is a fun place to lose yourself, if you’re okay with losing yourself in a bit of claustrophobia.

Final Grade: B

Indie Game Spotlight: ‘Papers, Please’ Brendan Jacques Connector Staff

I’ve always held the opinion that you can make something good out of anything. Maybe it won’t appeal to most people and maybe it won’t be successful, but if someone has the drive and skill to carry out their vision, they could create something beautiful out of whatever they desire. It’s part of the reason why I wanted to review indie games to begin with. Even with that belief taken into account, it’s rare to find a game that is as completely unique as “Papers, Please” is.

Even after finishing it, it’s still amazing to me just how much intense gameplay and powerful story moments this game is able to achieve while also being about something as hopelessly mundane as stamping passports.

“Papers, Please” was created by indie developer Lucas Pope; it puts you in the role of a lowly customs officer living in the fictional communist nation of Arstotska. As the lone customs official on the border of Arstotska’s greatest enemy, Kolechia, it is up to you to check the passports and documents of everyone seeking to pass into the country, checking for discrepancies to determine whether or not they should be accepted, rejected or arrested for terrorism. While this is a simple enough job at first, as security tightens and the state requires more and more documents from health reports to criminal records, the game becomes an

exercise in concentration and repetition, with every mistake coming back to hurt you at the end of the day.

While the act of sorting through documents on its own could have ended up being mind-numbingly tedious, it never felt like busywork. Each day becomes an exercise in perfection, with every new immigrant posing a new problem to solve. Maybe Courtesy of Lucas Pope

their story for entering the country doesn’t match up with their papers, or maybe the name on their passport is incorrect, or maybe their passport was made with paper and crayons. The continuous addition of more and more papers to check keeps monotony at bay while also slowly training your perception skills to the point where immigrants are walking out as quickly as they’re walking in. Concentration is important, however, as any mistakes come out of your daily pay, which can barely pay for rent and food for your family as it is.

On top of the primary gameplay comes a wide variety of moral choices. Do you help a poor husband and wife escape their tyrannical country despite their lack of paperwork, or do you leave them to die rather than betray your superiors? Do you dare accept bribes from the local resistance movement to make up for your meager salary, or do you turn them in out of fear of being caught?

Every person who passes through your checkpoint has their own story, and many of them have the potential of ending based on your approval.

None of the choices are clear, black-and-white decisions and many don’t really have a clear reward, but each choice immerses you further and further into the oppressive world of the game, where being a hero doesn’t come free and your role in the world comes down to the choice between a green stamp and a red stamp.

“Papers, Please” is an excellent example of a game that creates something amazing out of something so inherently uninteresting. Its gameplay is intense in a way that adrenaline-fueled shooters wish they could reach, and the atmosphere is bar none, even with somewhat-basic visuals and music. I highly recommend this game to anyone who wants to see a game that defies what it means to be fun simply by existing.

Glory to Arstotska!

“Papers, Please” is available on PC and Mac for $10.

Final Grade: A

October 21, 2014

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ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT ‘...You’re Dead!’ kills it Henry St. Pierre Connector Staff

Steven Ellison, known as Flying Lotus, is a Los Angeles-based experimental musician and producer, and is also a rapper under the stage name Captain Murphy, who appears on this album. It’s difficult to place a genre on “FlyLo” because his sounds transcend one specific label. He’s not just hip-hop, or electronic, or jazz, or even rock - his music is one big delicious concoction of all these sounds.

His fifth studio album is titled “You’re Dead!” and its main theme is, well, death. The album is 19 songs long for a grand total of 38 minutes. You don’t need to be a math major to see that the average song length is two minutes: not exactly a long song.

However, this album isn’t about pointing out particular songs that could be singles; it’s about listening to the album as a full experience. Listening to this album from the beginning, with the rather-creepy “Theme,” to the concluding track “The Protest,” is awesome. It’s short, but hits you hard. It’s easy to feel an aura of death, of afterlife, of general uncertainty surrounding mortality while listening to the crazy drum patterns and jazzy horns. You melt into the music.

There are definitely tracks on this LP that stick out above the rest. Some of my favorites include tracks “Never Catch Me” featuring Kendrick Lamar, “Turkey Dog Coma,” “Tesla,” “Descent Into Madness,” “Dead Man’s Tetris” (you have to love Snoop Dogg) and “Cold Dead.” All these songs enhance the experience so much more and truly reinforce that recurring theme of death, and how the thought of death and the idea of afterlife are so far-out and (quite frankly) trippy.

“You’re Dead!” is a 38-minute album that illustrates emotions that last for eternity. Those emotions are thinking of death and all that it is, all that it isn’t, and possibly even giving a soundtrack that plays in the background while you’re strolling around in Heaven, or Nirvana, or Valhalla, or while you decompose in your grave, or whatever else you believe in.

If you enjoy hip-hop, jazz, rock, classical or if you simply enjoy anything with a rhythm, I’d highly recommend giving this album a listen. You won’t re-

‘Gone Girl’ review Tyler Cote

Connector Staff

Based on the bestselling novel by Gillian Flynn, “Gone Girl” was released in theaters and it surpassed its high expectations. A combination of a riveting crime drama, psychological mind-bender and a psychopathic anecdote, the love story between Nick and Amy Dunne is one that is worth the over-buttered popcorn and three-dollar bottled water.

Not often does a bestselling novel-turned-movie become a huge hit. However, with Flynn as the

gret spending a little over a half-hour listening to this; however, for the same reason that it is kind of on the short side, I can’t give the album too high of a grade. There are also moments on the album that are more uninteresting than others, but they are usually followed by tracks that make up for their lackluster sound.

Final Grade: A-

screenwriter, the story was beautifully transformed and the movie hit the nail on the head.

Nick Dunne, played by Ben Affleck, is a man whose love for his wife is questioned after she goes missing. Nick undergoes the constant wrath of public criticism and hate. His childish behavior and careless actions after the disappearance make his involvement questionable.

Starting with the disappearance of Nick’s wife, Amy, their suburban home in Missouri quickly turns into a crime scene, leaving behind a broken table and traces of blood. The relationship between Nick and Amy was a fairytale; the key word is “was,” for their marriage had turned sour, leading

to hate, fear, distrust and dishonesty.

The role of Amy, portrayed by Rosamund Pike, is gut-wrenching and fascinating. Her journal entries are continuously read throughout the movie leading up to her disappearance. The plot takes many twists and turns, due in part to this journal. Amy, although missing, plays one of the most vital roles in the film.

“Gone Girl” is a movie that feels like it should never finish and could be told for hours and hours.

The plot twists, investigation and continuously added components make you not want to leave your seat.

Final Grade: B+

In case you missed it: ‘Year Zero’ at the MRT Benjamin St. Pierre Connector Staff

From Sept. 11 to Oct. 5, the Merrimack Repertory Theatre in Lowell was home to “Year Zero,” a play by Michael Golamco. Set in Long Beach, Calif. in 2003, the play chronicles a short time in the lives of four Asian youths, whose personalities are each a little different and contribute an individual aspect to the narrative and its theme. Two of the characters, Cambodian brother and sister Vuthy and Ra, are played by Daniel Velasco and Juliette Hing-Lee. A family friend of theirs (in the play) and a fellow Cambodian is Han, played by Michael Rosete, and Glenn, who is Chinese, is played by Arthur Keng. Each character faces a different situation coupled with differing pasts, but they’re all similar in the fact that their futures and prospects remain uncertain.

I mandatorily went to see the play as part of the curriculum of the Honors College, and I cannot say that I was previously a fan of theater before seeing “Year Zero.” I honestly didn’t know what to expect going into this, though the title was revealing enough of the premise.

The term Year Zero was an idea birthed from the crooked mind of former Cambodian dictator and Khmer Rouge leader Pol Pot and his followers. Essentially, Pot longed for Cambodia to abandon modernization, intellectualism and freedom in favor of a communist, forced-agrarian lifestyle that “honored” the ways of life of the poor, working class. But what did this create? The mass slaughter of around 2 million innocents who died because of a failure to blindly follow completely idiotic and harmful dogma. Any hint of disobedience would send anyone to the killing fields; the institution of the family was broken to make siblings and offspring turn each other in to the Rouge. Cambodians had

to survive in hell or try to flee.

In the play, Vuthy and Ra’s mother recently died, and Ra takes on the role of both mother and sister to Vuthy. Ra, a college student nearing graduation, and Vuthy, a high schooler, often have their verbal disagreements, sometimes even escalating to physical violence, as a result of their desperation to survive in Long Beach, a city of immigrants in and of itself. To avoid plot summary and offer only a brief synopsis, Han, a career convict recently let out of jail, becomes the sole male influence in Vuthy’s life and takes him under his wing, trying to keep him away from the trouble and crime he continues to face.

Glenn, a preppy college student, tries to maintain a romantic relationship with Ra, but there is no real love within it; he cannot provide understanding and true love to her. Vuthy tries to understand what it means to be a young Cambodian man with no father; essentially, he has to decide between crime and a career. And Ra dwells on the past, and the stories her mother never told her and how exactly she will be able to handle everything going on in her life, and in her future.

Like I said, going into the play, I really had no expectations, but it turned out to be captivating and ruthlessly entertaining the whole time. There was sadness, historical references, frequent comic relief, and overall, an atmosphere to it that all of us could relate to, despite our pasts or ancestries. There was a universality to it; a struggle we all see and even experience every day, in our own lives. “Year Zero” represented a time anew for the characters involved, and I believe I speak on behalf of mostly everyone who saw it when I say I give this play a 10/10. I never got bored of it, never got distracted and the themes presented weren’t so bad, either.

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NEWS SGA elects two senators Malinda Reed Connector Contributor

On Wednesday October 15th at 4pm, Student Government Association Senator elections ended and the fight for Senator of each candidate’s college came to a close.

Out of five Senator races, two were contested.

Those two races were for the senatorial positions for the College of Engineering as well as the College of Fine Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences.

The newly elected Senators will hold many Student Government responsibilities, including holding one office hour per week, sitting on at least two Student Government committees and attending all Student Government Senators meetings. Office hours are held in the Student Government office, located in Room 243 of University Crossing.

The most recent of the bi-weekly Student Government Association Senator’s meeting occurred Wednesday October 8thin Room 490 of University Crossing. At this meeting, Genesis Peralta was awarded the Senator of the Month award.

“To me, it means that I get to be the voice for students. I’m very passionate about what I do. It’s just crazy how this award I got symbolizes my passion and making a difference in the campus community,” Peralta said.

She’s not the only Student Senator who feels emphatically about Student Government. James Christopher, a sophomore political science major and two-year member of Student Government, is

very enthusiastic about his position as Campus Life and Environment Committee Chair.

“Students should join the Student Government because it enables them to acquire skills and establish connections that they will use utilize throughout their lives. I personally believe that it is an honor to represent the students of UMass Lowell, and find it extremely fulfilling to do all I can to improve the quality of the university experience,” Christopher said while making a statement encouraging students to join.

Past accomplishments for the Student Government Association include extending Fox dining hall hours and instituting a deal that prevents parking prices from increasing more than 5 percent per year.

Student Senators work with university administration and other clubs and organizations to address problems, acting as the voice for the student body.

Presently, Jenna Freitas, the Student Government Events Committee Chair, is planning a Meet Your Senators meet-and-greet, at which students can talk to Senators one-onone.​

boston • massachusetts

SIMMONS preparing you for life’s work. your work. your life.

GRADUATE PROGRAMS Behavior Analysis | General Education Special Education | Language and Literacy Fall 2014 Information Sessions: Wednesday, September 17 at 5:30 pm Wednesday, October at 5:30 pm Saturday, November 15 at 10:00 am Tuesday, December 2 at 5:30 pm

Teaching English as a Second Language Gender/Cultural Studies | Public Policy For more information about our graduate programs or to RSVP for an upcoming event, please contact: Office of Graduate Studies Admission 617.521.2915 gsa@simmons.edu www.simmons.edu/gradstudies

MediaMate, UMass Lowell, 10.25” x 8”, Sept. 2014

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September Page 5, 201411

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SPORTS River Hawks open season with major victory Shane Foley Connector Editor

bound in the net.

“They came out real hard,” said Boyle.

Despite the opening shot, UMass Lowell was quick to respond with three goals in the first period.

Campbell, Michael Fallon and Louria all found the back of the net.

Freshman C.J. Smith also got the opportunity to stun the crowd in the first half. His assist on Louria’s goal was a play to be remem-

After being eliminated from the NCAA Frozen Four last year, UMass Lowell began the season with revenge over nemesis Boston College with a 5-2 victory.

UMass Lowell earned a long stat sheet Friday night, with many different players contributing, from senior veterans to team captains. 11 different River Hawks registered points in the game.

“Whenever you win against quality opponents, it’s gotta be a team effort,” said Head Coach Norm Bazin. “[We had] a lot of contributions from young guys and upperclassman alike.”

The scoring came from five different River Hawks, one of which was sophomore Evan Cambell and freshman Michael Louria.

“We had a lot of guys contribute tonight, and against a good team like BC you gotta have that,” said Campbell.

The action began with a scare from UMass Lowell AJ White made a great assist to Evan Campbell for UML’s first goal. fans on Friday. Boston College skater Chris Canlan bered. Smith had brought the puck out of center fit one behind Goalie Kevin Boyle only 2:26 min- ice and shot the puck from the blue line. While it utes after the opening puck dropped. Boston Col- seemed as though a one-timer from Smith, the puck lege got on a 3-2 breakaway, when Teddy actually found the back of the stick of Louria, who Doherty raced down the ice for a slap shot. was racing down in front of the net to take Boyle made the save, but Canlan popped the re- Smith’s shot and put it in the goal.

It was 3-1 at that point, going into the second period.

The seemingly tall UML lead disappeared when Boston College’s Ryan Fitzgerald made a critical goal for the Eagles. From Boyle’s right, he went top shelf, and squeezed the puck in a very tight window.

After making the game 3-2, the win was in jeopardy for a short while going into the third period.

Robert Francis ended that jeopardy with UMass Lowell’s fourth goal early in the period. Joe Gambardella also got an empty net goal to officially seal the 5-2 victory.

Coupled with UMass Lowell’s high scoring was excellent defense. The River Hawks only let up 11 shots on goal in the first two periods from Boston College, when their own team got 19.

“I thought our defensemen got good gaps,” said Bazin.

“The one thing about playing a quality opponent is you have the guys attention. We blocked a few shots.”

While earning a key victory, and a vengeful one, the River Hawks remain focused Patrick Raistrick/Connector on the rest of the season. “I think it was a big win, but it was only one game,” said Campbell. “We [sic] got a long ways to go this year, and we are going to come to work every day and get better.”

I don’t think we’re in Kansas City anymore Henry St. Pierre Connector Staff

Ten years ago, the Kansas City Royals finished last in the American League Central with a record of 58-104. That won’t exactly propel a team into the playoffs. For the past 29 years (since 1985), the Royals hadn’t tasted the playoffs. They were either not close enough, deep in mediocrity, or deep in the abyss of the bottom of the standings. 29 years is a long time. I think waiting 29 minutes for my food at a restaurant is a long time. Well, guess what they did this season. They won the American League pennant.

The Royals needed this. They were desperate for it. And most of all, they deserved it.

In the past few seasons, all the baseball analysts talked about how Kansas City would be good, probably someday soon. Someday. The core was there.

They had players who comprised of the core; the “young” hitters who would FINALLY get Kansas City back into contention.

This young lineup features Alex Gordon, an All-Star and Gold Glover, Eric Hosmer, who had a tremendous rookie campaign in 2011 (finished third in Rookie of the Year voting), Billy Butler, who was an All-Star and Silver Slugger in 2012, and Lorenzo Cain, who just won the ALCS MVP. Mike “Moose” Moustakas spent time in Triple-A this season, and Royals fans have had high hopes for him for a while.

What the Royals also needed was veteran presence. They had a blazing young arm in starting pitcher Yordano Ventura, a lights-out closer in Greg Holland, and that lineup that was young and had a

bright future. So, the Royals made moves.

They got a not-too-shabby guy named James Shields before the 2013 season. Shields fought in the A.L. East for a number of years; he’s a proven workhorse, who eats innings and wins games. The Royals gave up their prized prospect Will Myers in the trade to the Rays for Shields, but, uh, Myers isn’t exactly doing much nowadays. Shields was exactly who they needed.

The Royals were almost there in 2013. Almost.

They finished 86-76. That record represented the culture shift that Kansas City baseball needed to remind them of the George Brett glory days.

A season later, 2014, it was finally their year.

Well, that was the plan. On July 21, the Royals were 48-50 and were trailing the Tigers for the division lead by eight games. Detroit was never a particularly strong team this season, so, for the rest of the season, the Royals took advantage. They won.

They won more. They even held first place for an entire month. Times were good; there were dreams of October baseball. It went down to the wire. The Tigers finished 90-72. The Royals finished 89-73.

However, that was good enough to secure Kansas City’s first-ever wild card berth.

The Wild Card Game was as good of a game of baseball that any baseball fan could imagine. The game went back and forth, electric atmosphere, and it was won on a Salvador Perez walk-off. Come on.

You can’t even try to stop that momentum, which is why the Royals knocked off this year’s top team in baseball, Mike Trout’s Angels, in a three-game sweep in the ALDS. The Royals smacked homers, stole bases, had dazzling defense, and had ace

pitching.

This continued into the ALCS. The Orioles, quite honestly, didn’t stand a chance. They were as inexperienced in recent playoffs as the Royals, which is what made the ALCS so interesting. Two new powerhouses. And the Royals did their thing, and came out on top. Another sweep. They’re 8-0 so far in this year’s playoffs, which includes five extra innings wins. Quite frankly, nobody expects them to lose. They’re going to win the World Series, and the Royals will receive their crowns, and the rest of the league should bow down.

Courtesy of Lisa Blumenfeld

Lorenzo Cain’s great defense earned him ALCS MVP.

UM ASS L OWELL C ONNECTOR

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September October 215,, 2014

SPORTS

River Hawks defeat Stony Brook STONYBROOK,N.Y.– ACarlosRuiz(EastBoston,Mass.)goallateinthefirsthalfwasthedifferenceastheUMassLowellmen’ssoccerteamdefeated the Stony Brook Seawolves 2-1, in America East play.

“Our boys showed a lot of character tonight.

Stony Brook is a tough team to play and they can really break you down on your side of the field, as they showed with the early goal. For us to bounce back and score that equalizer a few minutes after showed a lot of poise and character for our boys,” said Head Coach Christian Figueroa.

The Seawolves took the 1-0 lead in the 19th minute off a rocket from 25-yards out off the foot of Favio Sbarra.

UMass Lowell (5-8-1, 2-1-1) tied the score in the 24th minute with Wuilito Fernandes’ (Praia, Cape Verde) fourth goal the season. A deflected ball went to his feet, and the sophomore put the ball into the open net.

With the clock winding down in the first half Ruiz stepped up to fire in a free kick and took full advantage. His shot avoided he wall and head-

ed straight for the left post where Tom McMahon couldn’t reach.

“Carlos made the decision to have an opportunity on goal and it paid off. He put it where the goalie could do nothing about and clearly it was the best deci- sion”, Figueroa added.

TheRiverHawksdefenseplayedstrongthroughoutthesecondhalf,andwithastrong performancebyKrollandkeyblockskeptStonyBrookoutofthenet.

The best chance for the Seawolves (3-10-1, 1-3-0) in the second half came in the 65th minute, Austin Kroll (Baltimore, Md.) made a point- blank save on a shot from Fernando Wadskier from eight-yards out.

UMass Lowell outshot Stony Brook 18-15, with Fernandes leading the charge with seven on his own.

Kroll made six saves for his fifth win of the season, and Tim McMahon made eight saves for the home team. The River Hawks play their last non-conference game of the season on October 22 with a home contest against NJIT at 7 p.m.

U P C OM I N G

River Hawk Games Wednesday, Oct. 22

7 pm

M. Soccer vs NJIT

Thursday, Oct. 23

7 pm

W. Soccer vs UNH

Friday, Oct. 24

6 pm

F. Hockey vs UNH

Friday, Oct. 24

7 pm

Ice Hockey vs Michigan

Saturday, Oct. 25

7 pm

Ice Hockey vs MSU

Saturday, Oct. 25

3 pm

M. Soccer vs Binghamton

For more sports information and full game schedules visit goriverhawks.com

River Hawks get second win continued from Front Page

Christopher Tran/Connector

Jake Suter had three assists in last Friday’s victory

The one goal of Quinnipiac, scored

by Sam Anas, came of a rebound after a couple of shots bounced off of Boyle’s pads.

The River Hawks lit up the scoreboard in the third period. Coach Bazin made several intermission adjustments to his team. “I thought [Quinnipiac] was breaking out way too easily,” said Coach Bazin.

These adjustments helped the River Hawks big time, as they held possession of the puck for much longer.

They also were able to score four goals in the period. Smith, Francis, Gambardella and Michael Colantone each got the puck past goalie Michael Garteig of Quinnipiac.

Perhaps the turning point of the game came at the beginning of the third. The score was only 2-1 and the

victory was still very much in jeopardy. It was then that a Quinnipiac player got in the penalty box for hooking.

Despite the rough play on the boards, there were only four penalties the entire game (two per team).

The resulting power play sealed the game for UML. Evan Campbell got on a breakaway, juked a defender with some premiere puck handling, and shot the puck off the goalie’s pad.

CJ Smith was tailing Campbell the entire time, and put in the puck right after him.

While the River Hawks have traditionally been a team built on defense, many are wondering whether they will put more offensive pressure on teams and outscore them. “I hope so,” said Head Coach Norm Bazin.

River Hawk Hockey pulls out 3-3 tie at Quinnipiac UMass Lowell Athletics

HAMDEN, Conn. – The No. 9 ranked UMass Lowell hockey team pulled out a 3-3 tie at No. 13 Quinnipiac on Saturday night at High Point Solutions Arena.

Sophomore forward Joe Gambardella (Staten Island, N.Y.) tied the game with 1:18 remaining in regulation on an extra attacker goal. A shot by sophomore forward Evan Campbell (Port Coquitlam, B.C.) deflected off Gambardel- la past QU freshman netminder Sean Lawrence to get the road point. With the tie, the River Hawks own a 2-0-1 overall record, while the Bobcats move to 1-1-1.

Quinnipiac’s Justin Agosta tied the game at 2-2 on the power play with 16:21 left in the third period on a wrist shot from left point. With 10:30 left in the third period Kevin Boyle came out of the crease to challenge a charging Sam Anas, but he covered the puck before Anas could gain control. Quinnipiac took a 3-2 lead off a back hander by Landon Smith for his second goal on the game off a rebound with just 8:54 left in the third. Anas totaled a game-high 12 shots on net for the Bobcats.

Campbell got the River Hawks on the scoreboard first at 10:05 of the first period for his second goal of the season. It marked the second straight night that UMass Lowell scored the opening goal of the contest. Quinnipiac tied the game just four and a half minutes later on a power play goal by Landon Smith. UMass Lowell struck back just 2:28 later to retake the lead at 2-1 on a goal by sophomore defenseman Michael Kapla (Eau Claire, Wis.). The Bobcats held a 11-5 shot advantage going to the locker room at the end of the first period.

UMass Lowell went on the power play just 1:30 into the game on a interference penalty by QU’s Connor Clifton. Senior forward Terrence Wallin (Yardley, Pa.) had a great chance on the penalty kill with 12 minutes left in the first period off a feed from Gambardella, which was unsuccessful. Wallin ended up collecting the puck in front of the Bobcat net, getting the River Hawks first shot on goal on the play.

Junior Kevin Boyle (Manalapan, N.J.) totaled 35 saves in his third start of the season in the River Hawks’ net. Lawrence made his first career start for the Bobcats making 19 stops. Senior blueliner Zack

Kamrass (Atlanta, Ga.) recorded a team-high four shots on goal.

The River Hawks return to action on Friday, October 24 against the University of Michigan on Homecoming Week- end at the Tsongas Center (7 p.m). The game will be televised live on the New England Sports (Network).

Tickets for all River Hawks home hockey games are on sale now. Game tickets are $20 for adults, $15 for se- niors (65+) and military, and $12 and children (12 and under). UMass Lowell students receive free admission by scanning their ID as part of the Mission: All In campaign. Tickets can be purchased at the Tsongas Center Box Office, which is open Monday-Friday, 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. during the week. Fans can also purchase tickets online at TsongasCenter.com or by calling 866-722-8780.The UMass Lowell Athletic Department is also selling season, mini-pack and group tickets at this time.

Packages can be purchased online at TsongasCenter.com or by contacting Christine Maurais (christine_maurais@uml.edu; 978-934-2181) or Jocelyn Prieto (jocelyn_prieto@uml.edu; 978-934-5751).