The Connector - 2016 Orientation Issue

NCAA tournament run falls short of Frozen Four â–ş Page 8

The 2016 Orientation Issue

THE UMASS LOWELL

Serving the Student Body Since 1976

Summer 2016

Commencement 2016

In This Issue Recap of Chancellor Moloney’s first year

George DeLuca/Connector

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Satellite campus in Haverhill â–ş Page 3 Campus organization helps children in need

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Final River Hawk Scores Team

Score

Overall Record

Baseball at Monmouth

W 10-7 20-32

Baseball at Monmouth

L 5-4

Baseball vs. Siena

W 9-4 19-31

Baseball vs Bryant

L 4-15

19-32

18-31

Redefining ‘Refuge’ Jessica Kergo Connector Staff

Actors and stage hands of the UMass Lowell Theatre Arts program held their premiere showcase of the spring semester performance “Refuge� at Comley-Lane Theatre in Mahoney Hall on Wednesday, April 20.

The 90-minute long performance, directed by David E. Shane, consisted of ten actors who portray the words and personas of authentic individuals who were interviewed during the development of the play in attempts to broaden its audience’s understanding of the term “refuge.�

What is incredibly unique about this play is its use of documentary theatre and devised movement theatre. The actors adopt perspectives from those who have sought refuge, those who have offered refuge, and those who have witnessed it. Through anecdotal portrayal of the interviewed individuals, the production tells the firsthand accounts of people who have experienced refuge of numerous different meanings. Each person is depicted in a manner that reveals his or her emotions, feelings, and personality. Every aspect of the individual is accounted for in these representations, as the actors of “Refuge� do not just play their characters, they become them.

The stage presence of the play contributes greatly to its message. The audience is sat on the stage during the performance, bringing â–ş See “Refuge,â€? page 4

Sections News.............................3 Campus Life..................6 A&E.............................. 4 Sports........................... 7

Marcelle Durrenburger and her mother, Jocelyne (not pictured), became the first mother and daughter selected as student speakers at commencement. View more photos from commencement at umlconnector.com.

No grey area here: White is the real deal Kyle Gaudette Connector Editor

If you want to buy him a drink, you need to wait until April 2018.

But if you want him to run baseline to baseline, be a floor general and occasionally pull up for a midrange jumpshot, Isaac White is your man.

In case you are unaware, the UMass Lowell men’s basketball squad has potentially the best point guard in America East, and he is only 18 years old. White came in as one of eight freshmen this season, but has since supplanted himself as not just the starting point guard, but the future of UMass Lowell basketball. “He’s a great point guard,� said UMass Lowell head coach Pat Duquette. “I think when you look at his statistics the first thing that jumps out at you are points, and that’s what everybody notices the most. But he’s carried the huge responsibility of playing point guard as a freshmen and running our team.�

As a first-year player, White’s numbers are impressive. He is sec-

Courtesy of UMass Lowell Athletics

Isaac White made his presence felt in game two of the season with his a game-winning layup to lift the River Hawks past Sacred Heart.

ond on the team in scoring with 11.4 points per game and leads the team in 3-pointers made at 60 – second is Matt Harris only at 48.

Not only is he leading the team from beyond the arc, but White is doing so at an impressive 44.1 percent – good for second-best in America East.

Much of what White does right does not show up in the box score.

This season has been as much about the wins the team has been able to compile, as it has the emer-

gence of White. “He’s a quiet leader, mostly by example,� said Duquette. “He’s a very mature kid on and off the floor. He’s a good person. He’s unselfish, very caring, and very humble. Those are great qualities to have not just as a basketball player but as a person, and I think his teammates recognize that and give him a lot of respect just because of the person he is.�

The season has been a transition â–ş See “Isaac White,â€? page 7

Page 2

Summer 2016

UM ASS L OWELL C ONNECTOR

OPINIONS & EDITORIALS

Welcome to UMass Lowell!

Hello Class of 2020 and incoming transfer students, My name is Marlon Pitter, editor-in-chief of The Connector, and I am proud to welcome you to the community of active scholars, student leaders and community builders known as UMass Lowell. As a rising senior, I have seen this university morph into one of the premier destinations in New England and the nation as a whole over the last three years, and we have been dedicated to chronicling its journey and the stories that shape this campus every step of the way.

As you enter the university seeking a higher education, take a firm stance on what holds true to you, and let that be your motivation to make a positive change on this campus and in the community as well. Throughout the next few years, you will see yourself grow not only a student, but as a

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leader and an advocate for what you believe in.

The editorial board and I created this special issue of The Connector to help you realize the landscape of the university that awaits you, even though it will surely be much different by the time you leave. However you decide to make an impact at UMass Lowell, just know that you are not alone and that there are 17,000 students like you working every day to be “united in blue.�

Thank you for reading this issue.

We look forward to hearing from you as either opinionated students or prospective members or writing about you as involved members of the UMass Lowell community in the future.

Instagram: @UMLConnector Facebook.com/UMLConnector www.UMLConnector.com The Connector meets every Monday at 6 p.m. in University Crossing Room 241 in the Club Hub. All are welcome to join!

Sincerely, Marlon Pitter Editor-in-Chief Class of 2017

Why I love sports

THE UMASS LOWELL

Alex Salucco Serving the Student Body Since 1976

UMASS LOWELL CONNECTOR

EDITORIAL BOARD MARLON PITTER Editor-In-Chief COLE FITZGERALD Managing Editor OPEN Operations Manager KATRINA DESROSIERS Copy Editor ALEXA HYDE DAN RAFFERTY Social Media Managers ALEXANDER J. SALUCCO Multimedia Director JONATHAN SILVERMAN Faculty Advisor

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OWEN JOHNSON JESSICA KERGO HENRY ST. PIERRE BENJAMIN ST. PIERRE

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Connector Editor

I’m often asked why sports float my boat, but the answer isn’t so simple. Being from the Boston area, it is assumed that the winning culture had drawn my attention – nine major sports championships since the turn of the century will do that. But growing up a Cubs fan, when the last time they won a World Series the Ottoman Empire was still in power, it has been more about the healing that sports do in times of misfortune that coaxed my romantic side out.

During a hectic childhood that left as soon as it arrived, sports were the only constant. When other nine-year-olds were watching Saturday morning cartoons, I was more concerned with who was going to round out the Cubs’ rotation – Shawn Estes tried his best. The 2003 season was my first taste of a title run on the North Side of Chicago, and it was the same year my mother contracted lung cancer.

Behind Sammy Sosa’s forty long-balls and Mark Prior’s 18 wins, the Cubbies won 88 games and captured the NL Central – something they had not done since 1989 when they were in the NL East. With a deep rotation and talented

guys all around the diamond, it was finally time for the Lovable Losers to end the, at the time, 95-year-long drought.

The north side needed this; the Salucco family needed this.

In the NLCS, the Cubs’ had a 3-1 series lead – it was happening. After a loss in the fifth game of the series, I was still confident – they had only lost three straight four times during the regular season and I had no reason to believe it would happen again. Then, Steve Bartman happened. With five outs away from the first World Series birth since 1945, the Marlins’ Luis Castillo hit a foul ball to the left field wall. As left fielder Moises Alou attempted to make a play on the ball, so did Bartman – and the rest is history. The Cubs lost game six after an eight-run eighth inning by the Marlins and couldn’t win game seven.

Editor’s note: Due to the emotional power it has, this op-ed was an obvious choice. Even though it’s not directly involved with UMass Lowell sports, it’s from the perspective of a UMass Lowell student, and it’s a very wellwritten piece. (Originally published: May 22, 2016) Please view the rest of the article at umlconnector.com.

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UM ASS L OWELL C ONNECTOR

Summer 2016

Page 3

NEWS

Looking back on Chancellor Moloney’s first year Taylor Carito Connector Editor

This was the first year for Chancellor Jacqueline Moloney, a ‘75 and ‘92 graduate of UMass Lowell and a former executive vice chancellor to Marty Meehan. Moloney has made several contributions over her eight years working for the university, and she continues to strive toward more advancements for years to come.

The first female chancellor hit the ground running as soon as she moved into her new office. With a mind set to continue the 2020 plan, she catapulted forward with ideas and campaigns to help improve the university and achieve the goals promoted by the plan.

So far in the decade-long 2020 plan 12 buildings have been opened, enrollment has increased, and ratings and national ranks of UMass Lowell have improved. Moloney plans to continue this momentum in the upcoming years to complete the 2020 plan.

Moloney faced a tough situation earlier this year after experiencing a $2.2 million budget crisis, resulting in cuts to several projects that were funded prior, and delayed the hiring of professors and other faculty members. However, Moloney was determined to keep student expenses and projects maintained. “Students always come first here,” she said.

She has always strongly advocated to improve the lives of the students, and would not let a money loss deter from the college experience.

Despite this past fall, Moloney was able to accomplish a lot in just one year as chancellor. In her first 90 days, she announced winners of 2020 grants, attended several ribbon cuttings, and launched the five pillars of excellence. Stemming from former Chancellor Meehan’s projects, Moloney has also continued to fund the construction of the new Manning School of Business building and the completion and opening of the McGauvran Student Center.

This was also a big year for sports as well. All teams that were Division II the prior year have now been promoted to Division I, and it was a big transition. Moloney has always supported the sports teams at UMass Lowell and told coaches when she became chancellor, “Marty is very competitive, and so am I.” She is excited to see the teams improve in Division I as years go on.

Throughout the course of the year, Moloney has attended several ribbon cuttings for new buildings such as the McGauvran Student Center and exhibits such as the Jack Kerouac exhibit. On a more departmental level Moloney has also hired her own team of executives to support her and provide ideas to help improve the university.

In addition to this Moloney has also continued to enforce and advocate the 2020 plan for UMass Lowell, as well as launch the Our Legacy, Our Place campaign. This campaign is aimed toward alumni and friends of UMass Lowell with a goal of raising $125 million to benefit students and the university.

The chancellor will be travelling across the country

to speak to other universities and alumni, to reach the campaign’s goals.

Chancellor Moloney has accomplished a lot in just one year as chancellor, and many are excited to see what she will accomplish in years to come. Moloney will be travelling the country to gain support and momentum for UMass Lowell, planning to use the money to improve the university on many levels. She and her team have been coordinating with the City of Lowell with hopes to reconstruct bridges to provide faster, more efficient transportation to and from campus and is also beginning to search and plan on a new location for dorms. “We had to waitlist of 1200 applicants this year,” Moloney said. This says a lot about the appeal of the school in terms of academics and attractiveness, but more dorms would also provide more room to accept eligible applicants.

Moloney has big plans for the future and has already accomplished a lot. She has faced several hurdles in her first year as chancellor, but she continues to put forth ideas to improve UMass Lowell immensely by 2020 and beyond.

Editor’s note: I chose this article because it highlights the achievements of Jacquie Moloney’s first year as chancellor of UMass Lowell. (Originally published: April 26, 2016)

UMass Lowell expands into Haverhill with satellite campus Hannah Manning Connector Editor

UMass Lowell has expanded its partnership with Northern Essex Community College and the city of Haverhill by placing a satellite campus for the university in downtown Haverhill. A satellite campus is a site owned by a university which is located away from the main campus. This one will be located on the second and third floors of Harbor Place, a new building located on the Merrimack River waterfront which will open in late 2016.

The Harbor Place project was designed to improve Haverhill’s downtown economy and restore it to its former glory. Former UMass president Robert Caret saw this as an opportunity to reach students in Haverhill, a city that provides a significant number of UMass Lowell students.

According to a press release by the city of Haverhill, “more than 2,000 UMass Lowell students, faculty, staff and alumni hail from Haverhill and surrounding communities.”

The satellite campus in downtown Haverhill will accommodate Haverhill students who wish to continue their education at UMass Lowell without having to deal with the hassle of commuting to Lowell.

Harbor Place’s campus will be located just over twenty miles from UMass Lowell’s North Campus.

I-495 North is known to be clogged

with commuters trying to get to work in the morning, so attending classes at the Harbor Place campus could save Haverhill students a significant amount of time commuting while also allowing them to save money on gas.

“I would consider going to the new satellite campus. It’s a lot more convenient for me, since I live so close and could stay at home,” said Ryan Foucault, a freshman at NECC and a resident of Haverhill.

The partnership between Northern Essex Community College and UMass Lowell has served to benefit both institutions. Since 2012, UMass Lowell has offered courses at NECC that count as credits that could be transferred over. NECC students can continue their education at UMass Lowell after obtaining their associate’s degrees and earn a bachelor’s degree in two years. The new satellite campus will facilitate that for students.

State Representative Brian Dempsey, an alumnus of UMass Lowell, noted that Haverhill was an ideal location for a UMass Lowell satellite campus. He could not be reached in person, but offered his thoughts in an email interview.

“A significant number of UMass Lowell students are from the greater Haverhill area and NECC in Haverhill is the university’s second largest feeder of students. UMass Lowell’s

existing partnership with NECC, the accessibility for current students, as well the vibrancy and amenities that downtown Haverhill provides made Harbor Place a perfect location [for a satellite campus],” said Representative Dempsey.

Representative Dempsey worked closely with UMass Lowell and The Greater Haverhill Foundation to make the Harbor Place satellite campus a reality. Although the project took years to come to fruition, the construction of the building has happened incredibly quickly.

Haverhill residents marveled at how fast the construction has been.

“Every time I see [Harbor Place], it seems to be more and more complete,” said Matt Hayes, freshman at UMass Lowell and Haverhill native.

The completion of the building will yield tremendous results for both the university and the city of Haverhill. The university will have more students under its wing, and the city of Haverhill gets to enjoy having students in its downtown, which is slowly becoming as vibrant as it used to be.

Since the urban renewal period of the 1970s and the years of economic disparity that followed, Haverhill has been making steady improvements.

Small businesses have flourished in downtown. The art scene has blossomed. Rundown mills have been transformed into condominiums. The

Merrimack River is cleaner than it has been in years.

Tearing down the Woolworth Building, which stood vacant for over forty years, and replacing the massive lot with Harbor Place is a symbol of rebirth for the city. Once again, Haverhill can reclaim its crown as the Queen Slipper City.

“While we do have NECC in Haverhill, the UMass Lowell building offers a variety of schools in the area.

For students that quite unjustly look down on a community college choice, and those that don’t want to or can’t afford to dorm on campus can enjoy the benefits of college in a more local building to them… Our city is great, no matter what people say, and a UMass Lowell building here would make it even better,” said Hayes.

Editor’s note: This article explores UMass Lowell’s expansion with a new addition that may be more favorable to certain students. (Originally published: April 12, 2016)

The Connector needs writers, photographers, salespeople, graphic designers and more this year! Email connector@ uml.edu to join!

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Summer 2016

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT

Connector Staff

With the release of “Inside Out” and “The Good Dinosaur” last year and “Finding Dory” slated for release later in 2016, I have to ask if Pixar is dying.

Pixar has been a major player in filmmaking for the past two decades, releasing sixteen movies—most of which did well at the box office, received critical acclaim and or Oscar nominations—and it continues to be to this day. By acknowledging these facts, I am sure there are a number of people reading this and saying to themselves, “If they’re still doing well commercially and critically, how can they be dying?” Well, I believe that the death of Pixar is being forewarned from its clear decline in quality, not from a commercial and critical standpoint.

While it is debatable at what point Pixar began to fall, it is safe to say that they have been slowly going down at the very least since the release of “Toy Story 3” back in 2010. Of “Toy Story 3” and the five other movies Pixar has released over the past five and a half years, three of them have been continuations to older movies, whether they be sequels or a prequel. So, of half their new material, three of them were continuations that no one had really been asking for. This leaves Pix-

ar with only three new original ideas: “Brave,” “Inside Out,” and “The Good Dinosaur.”

Even though Pixar is still making movies based on original ideas and not just cynical, middle of the road, cash-grabs based on their earlier successes, these have been arguably among Pixar’s worst movies. “Brave” was sloppily written. “Inside Out” had serious pacing issues. “The Good Dinosaur” could barely do anything competently. So, at their best, Pixar has been making average franchise continuations and at their worst, what can only be described as messes. To make matters worse is that of the five announced movies Pixar has slated for release between now and 2019, four of them are sequels to their past hits. I am not saying there is anything necessarily wrong with sequels, but I am saying that going with so many sequels is a risk. Sooner or later, people will get tired of seeing the same familiar things over and over again and demand something new. Then, since the new material is actually worse than the sequels, moviegoers will happily take their money and see something else.

The problem is that Pixar has been around for so long and made so many hits that they can survive for an extended period of time based on viewer’s nostalgia. This can work, but it

Brendan Jacques Courtesy Photo

Located in Emeryville, CA, Pixar Animation Studios was founded in 1979.

won’t last, as Pixar is not the only major player when it comes to family-oriented animated films. In the early 21st century, Disney had hit a dry spell and Dreamworks wasn’t a major player, leaving Pixar to do whatever it wanted. Now that we’re in 2016, Disney has bounced back to what some are calling their second ‘Disney Renaissance’ period, Dreamworks has proven that it’s capable of producing quality work, and both have improved when it comes to the animation quality to easily rival Pixar.

I know there are probably still people thinking that Pixar is far from dying because of the commercial success of their movies. It is true that Pixar has managed to gross more than

Shane Foley

It is often said that “the devil is in the details.” In terms of gaming, this cliché is well known, since attention to detail can make or break the success of a game. What is to be said, then, about a game developer that pours most of his efforts into the smallest of details? I would imagine such a game developer would receive much praise for his efforts, especially seeing as developer Hideo Kojima poured immense detail into the seminal Metal Gear Solid, and he indirectly invented a game genre.

To be technical, Metal Gear Solid was the first 3D stealth shooter. In the game, you control the titular character, Solid Snake, in completing a series of intense missions that not only involve tactically eliminating any threats in your way, but also avoiding the diction of your presence by others. The player makes use of various weapons in the game to achieve this. Several modern franchises use these mechanics, such as the Batman: Arkham series and Assasin’s Creed.

Among the innovative mechanics, Metal Gear Solid also expertly weaves in a very intricate and compelling plot into the video game. Solid Snake is charged by his Colonel to infiltrate members of his old unit: Fox Hound. They are posted in Shadow Moses Island, a nuclear disarmament facility in Alaska, and they threaten to launch a nuke if their demands are not met. As Snake, you storm the facility to find/stop the nuke, but you quickly realize that the orders you were given were not the full story, but rather a short, skewed account of a larger narrative that you uncover more of as you progress.

Metal Gear Solid provides the player with an enormous amount of freedom. It is left to the imagination of the player to develop a strategy to reach

the next checkpoint. Traveling to your next area is one thing. It is another thing entirely to develop the strategy to avoid detection and the litany of traps that are set for you. Often in the game, the player has the option of taking out the enemies looking for him, or simply hide from their gaze.

In playing this game, you will also be tested. The aids that you can contact, on a consistent basis, will only tell you of the place you need to go. There are rare occasions where they will give you hints during boss fights, but beyond that they really are there to move the plot along. There also is not a map of the entire area, only the radar for the area around you that gets jammed for half of the game. The lack of aid, in eliminating obstructions on levels and in the boss fights, end up being very refreshing for the player. You are given a myriad of weapons, and you can choose which one you think will work best in a given situation. For instance, one boss fight prompts you to use a remote controlled missile launcher called the Nikita to win, but the player could incorporate C4 as well for a much more efficient strategy.

One interesting aspect of the game that Kojima incorporated was, while it was not 2D or side-scrolling, Metal Gear Solid feels like a Metroidvania game, a sub-genre was made popular by titles like Super Metroid and Castlevania: Symphony of the Night, where instead of traveling to a new area each time, players were required to revisit old areas after they have powered up to uncover new passages that were inaccessible before. In Metal Gear Solid, Snake gets different card keys that are leveled one through six, and players cannot access rooms with a level door higher than the card they currently hold.

This being said, this form of backtracking is very tastefully done. Metroidvania games at times are under attack because players don’t like to revisit ar-

Page 5

Indie Game Spotlight: ‘Undertale’

enough money each time to pay off its budget. The problem with that is with its latest movie, “The Good Dinosaur,” it only managed to gross ninety million dollars more than the film’s budget, which is a drastic drop from all of Pixar’s other movies. This could just be an anomaly and people simply weren’t interested in the movie, or it could be a sign that people are starting to get tired of Pixar.

Editor’s note: We chose to include this article on Pixar because it demonstrates the freedom that the Connector gives to its writers to share their opinions with their peers across campus, even if those opinions can be considered controversial.

Classic Game Spotlight: ‘Metal Gear Solid’ Connector Editor

UM ASS L OWELL C ONNECTOR

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT

Opinion: Pixar on steady decline Owen Johnson

Summer 2016

eas. In Metal Gear Solid though, the player is usually prompted through the story to go back to certain places anyways, so it doesn’t feel like work. You will also desire to backtrack at times because that way you can receive more health/ammo for weapons.

The gameplay in Metal Gear Solid is also interrupted by long cut-scenes at times, even so that people often call it Metal Gear Solid: the Movie. Kojima made the game so that the cut-scenes would enhance the game, though, as supposed to being side material. For its time, the game actually has some pretty impressive voice acting, and it does incorporate a story that could be a movie script one day. It can be heavy on a new player, though. If you are trying to just play the game for the mechanics and ignore the general story, you will find these cutscenes frustrating. If you become interested, though, it is very rewarding. Small things in the game will become monumental, and it connects to every other game in the series. Metal Gear Solid invites you to immerse yourself into the lore, and it serves as a bonus benefit for those who play the game.

As much praise as this game deserves, the difficulty must be mentioned. There are a lot of shenanigans in this game, like trap doors, time bombs randomly stuck on you, multiple enemies in elevators, and things of the like. This game compels many gamers to their knees yelling “Kojima” at the top of their lungs due to their ineptitude to determine why the died for the 25th time. If you approach this game with the spirit of challenge, though, you will be rewarded for it.

Editor’s note: We chose to include this article becuase we feel that bringing attention to the arts of the past generation is just as important as keeping up to date with the newest trends. (Originally published: March 8, 2016.)

Connector Editor

me giggling from start to finish. That said, when it does choose to focus on the drama of its characters and setting, it does so with flying colors. Most of the monsters that populate the game’s world are more interested in living peacefully than getting in your way, and the ones that do are driven more from a desire to escape their underground prison than out of a blind hatred for humans. This goes a long way towards humanizing the usual group of RPG enemies, thus feeding into the game’s themes of non-violence and influencing the game’s central

In my opinion, the best pieces of art are the ones capable of defying genre and expectation. When people are trying to determine the worth of a particular form of entertainment, there is often a need, by the creators or the consumers, to categorize it within set genres, and most of the time that is fine. For the creator, it is always important to know the focus of your work and what demographic it is aiming for, so conforming to a particular genre is an effective way of accomplishing that. But in my mind, a story that can make you laugh just as well as it can make you cry is more valuable and affecting than a story that can only do one or the other. “Undertale,” a little-known indie game I had not even heard of before last week, is one of those genre-defying works, and it is one of the best games to be released this year.

The story of “Undertale” starts off simply enough: thousands of years ago, there was a war between humans and monsters that resulted in the monsters being sealed away in a vast underground city, never to be seen again. That is, until one day when our unnamed protagonist falls down a hole while play- Courtesy of Toby Fox ing in the woods. From there, he is told by a kind ‘Undertale’ was originally funded on Kickstarter in 2013. sorceress named Toriel that in order to escape, he mechanics. must travel across the underground kingdom to These mechanics refer to your character’s action reach the magic barrier keeping the monsters un- and mercy abilities. For the most part, “Undertale” derground and pass through it, all the while trying plays similarly to a standard turn-based RPG, with to avoid falling into the clutches of King Asgore, the player exploring different areas of the underwho is searching for a human soul that he can use ground, fighting monsters and leveling up. Howevto destroy the barrier and free his people. er, while you can fight enemies the traditional way, What makes the story of “Undertale” so great it is also possible to examine enemy behavior to deis that, while the plot has a degree of darkness to termine a monster’s personality and respond to it it that gets more pronounced as the story goes on, accordingly. Doing so can grant multiple different it never gets bogged down by character drama for bonuses in battle, but it can also be used to convince long enough to get tiring. It knows when to make your enemy to give up the fight, allowing you to its story serious and when it needs to lighten up, spare them and walk away with a clear conscience. and it accomplishes this thanks to a sharp and of- While this feature does make the game considerably tentimes unconventional sense of humor, which left harder, as you cannot gain experience from mon-

Let there be theater ► Continued from front page

them as close as possible to the people and their stories. The lighting captures the actor at hand as he or she contributes the word-for-word dialogue of another individual. Also on the stage were suitcases, a window frame and a large collection of sand surrounded by two wooden benches.

The props are used throughout the play in various ways as the actors tell their stories and articulate their respective messages.

This play teaches its viewers that refuge is a concept everyone and anyone can relate to. The performance is very good at engaging with the audience, which helps convey its message even more thoroughly. The viewers are, in a sense, invited into this important conversation with the actors as they reveal their stories. The audience is left with thoughts of the original people who have felt the emotions so accurately captured on stage. This play accomplishes its goals in providing a more far-reaching understanding of a very relevant topic as it introduces people to a number of individuals and their respective definitions of the loaded term that is “refuge” while simultaneously telling the fascinating

stories of such bold individuals.

Editor’s note: We included this review of ‘Refuge’ because it demonstrates how the artistic accomplishments of our student body are absolutely integral to our section. (Originally published: April 23, 2016.)

Jessica Kergo/Connector

Cast seen above during last rehearsal.

sters you do not kill and cannot level up as a result, it also means that the player can get through the entirety of the game without killing anyone, which is not only fulfilling in its own right, but also greatly impacts how different events play out later in the story, including how the game eventually concludes. This also makes the game surprisingly re-playable, as the most innocuous of choices early in the game can have massive repercussions as the story progresses.

If there is one thing that may keep people from giving “Undertale” a chance, it is the graphics.

While it is by no means a bad-looking game, its somewhat simplistic backdrops and black and white portrayals of every enemy, while fitting the game’s NES role-playing game aesthetic, could be a turnoff for some. That said, the art direction for the game is strong across the board, and the game is more than capable of looking great when the need arises.

Any problems posed by the graphics however are countered by the game’s audio, with some excellent sound design and a soundtrack that has quickly become one of my favorite retro themed soundtracks ever, right next to “Shovel Knight” and “Hotline Miami.”

“Undertale” may just be one of the best RPGs I have ever played. At no point during the eight hours it took me to beat it was I ever bored. When it was not entertaining me with its biting humor or giving me pause with its cast of well-developed characters, it was making me think on my feet with its unusually energetic combat system and fun puzzles. It is everything independent games strive to be and if you are at all interested, get this game right now. You will not regret it. “Undertale” is available on PC for $10.00. Those interested can also play a free demo available on the game’s website.

We chose to include this review of ‘Undertale’ because we feel it’s just as important to highlight lesser known works of art as well as what’s currently popular (yes, we notice the irony). (Originally published: Sept. 29, 2015.)

Fermata Nowhere Michael Paige Connector Editor

UMass Lowell’s first all-female acapella group put on a charity event to support the American Heart Association. Partnering with local and on-campus acapella groups, Acapella for A Cause helped raise money and awareness for the American Heart Association’s Go Red For Women campaign on February 27, 2016.

“Women, when having a heart attack, their symptoms are not as noticeable as men.” Riley Ryan, Fermata Nowhere’s president told the Connector. Ryan continued, “Women can have a sore back, a sore arm or your shoulder feels funny… you can ignore it for too long, so awareness is the most important part.”

Due to the all-female aspect of Fermata Nowhere, they felt really connected to this topic, but it was also a topic that related to everyone as Ryan bluntly pointed out: “Everyone has a heart.”

Connecting back to the all women aspect of Fermata, Christina Ruggiero, who manages the public relations, said, “As an all female group, we are really into female empowerment… and showing off how strong a woman

can be.” Fermata, alongside the other UMass Lowell student ran groups, comes from a varied background from both culture and majors. Fermata wants to let any women out there know that, “Any woman can sing if she wants to… you don’t have to be the best, you just have to be in it, with us.”

To support all this female empowerment and passion, Fermata Nowhere invited seven other groups and some guest speakers to both entertain and inform the full auditorium of Cumnock.

These guests included UMass Lowell’s other Acapella groups; Vocality, The Hawkettes and Hawkapella. This marked the very first time these four prestigious groups have all performed together.

When asked about whether this was friendly completion or just a learning experience Calcagno responded with, “It’s not about each group, it’s not a competition. It’s all about all of us getting together raising awareness.”

For more information of heart health or to help donate to an amazing charity visit donatenow.heart.org.

We chose to include this article to show how our section can spread awareness for important causes just as much as the arts.

(Originally published: March 20, 2016.)

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Students develop prosthetic devices for children in need Shane Foley Connector Editor

In 2015, a Robert Downey Junior/ Iron Man video drew great popularity on YouTube. This video was not advertising any Iron Man or Avengers movie. Rather, it was to deliver a prosthetic hand to a child born with a partially developed right arm. Downey Jr. teamed up with college student Albert Manero, who used a 3D printer to develop a prosthetic device that was designed like an Iron Man gauntlet.

Not only was this video a display of the generosity of the Marvel actor, but also the capability of Enabling the Future, the company that Downey, Jr. worked with to put this together. Enabling the Future is dedicated to delivering low cost prosthetic devices to children in need around the world.

Peter Larsen, long time member of eNABLE Lowell, a chapter of the larger organization, can attest to the capabilities of 3D printers in regards to prosthetic devices. “I’ve heard of others where they make Iron Man themed ones where they make little LED palm lasers at the bottoms of the hand,” said Larsen. “I’ve seen Hulk versions, Captain America versions,

so we can really customize these for the children and make it fun and interact with them.”

These custom designed prosthetic devices fill a void in the market for families in need that cannot afford traditional prosthetic services. According to Larsen, the average child with a limb difference will require 10 new prosthetic devices by the age of 20.

“If each of those costs, say, $10,000, there is a huge financial burden,” said Larsen. “We can make these devices for less than 40 dollars, and then give them away for free to the children. So we are offering a low cost alternative to children at a time when they really need the device.”

While offering their services at a much lower cost, eNABLE is not planning on competing with the traditional prosthetic market. More modern devices can include robotics and much more advanced features that eNABLE’s devices do not have. The 3D printer models, according to Larsen, are considered a “step up from a toy” in comparison to contemporary prosthetic devices. eNABLE’s devices are strapped on with Velcro, as opposed to the customized socket in

other prosthetic devices.

These more primitive devices do get amputees accustomed to the idea of a prosthetic device. Due to the high cost, some amputees will learn to cope with their missing limb and continue life as such to avoid paying for a modern device.

“Our hope is that, by using our devices as like a stepping stone, these children can get used to the idea of using a prosthetic, and we can get them through their growth phase, and once they’ve grown fully, they can get something better,” said Larsen.

The customization of these devices do have other benefits that tradition prosthetic devices do not have, particularly psychological benefits. Many cwhildren with limb differences not only endure the physical hardships of living without a limb, but also the social consequences of looking different than the average child. Since eNABLE customizes their devices to the child, now instead of a missing limb, they have a Hulk hand, or an Iron Man gauntlet.

“A really underappreciated side of this is the psychological impact of having this new cool device to show

off, and it turns their limb difference, something that they may try to hide or be nervous about, to something that they actually try and show to their friends,” said Larsen.

Being founded in Oct. 2015, eNABLE Lowell also has a very diverse group of workers on their team. Larsen, being a Biotech major himself, refers to the organization as being tailored to STEM+ (STEM being an acronym form Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics). All of those backgrounds would be well suited to conduct such work, but eNABLE Lowell is also looking for people who excel in backgrounds such as communications to help promote themselves. As an on campus organization, they are truly open to any student joining regardless of major.

“We keep saying in our group, the only prerequisites to joining are interest and a healthy dose of empathy,” siad Larsen.

I selected this story because it highlights what kind of opportunities are available for students at UMass Lowell. This article portrays how large of an impact students can make with their time here. (Originally published: April 12, 2016)

Girl Be Heard sheds light on human trafficking Emily Bergman Connector Staff

Last Wednesday night, four members of the feminist theater group called Girl Be Heard performed poems, songs and narratives about victims of human trafficking in the UCrossing lobby. Following their performance, Jasmine Marino, a survivor of domestic sex trafficking, spoke about her experiences as a sex worker and the years after her escape. This event is part of UMass Lowell’s support and recognition of the month of April as Sexual Assault Awareness Month. .Some of the pieces performed were written by the performers themselves, while others were written by members of Girl Be Heard. Ian Stewart is an Artistic Fellow with the group. After the performance, Stewart provided some background on Girl Be Heard, asked the performers a few questions and then opened the conversation to the audience.

“Sometimes girls are sharing their own narratives, and sometimes they’re not,” said Stewart. “That’s not really the important part. The important part is their talent and their honesty with that portrayal.”

One of the performers, Jesse Krebs, emphasized that the pieces performed were to give a voice to the voiceless.

“It wasn’t an enforcement of one’s own opinion on the lifestyle, it was truly stories from the voices of the people,” said Krebs.

Another performer, Aimee Buchanan, wrote and performed a narrative called Kentucky, a story of a girl from a rural community who travels to a

city to meet an online boyfriend and finds herself trapped in sex work. Buchanan said, “It was inspired by different people that I knew from rural communities that had fallen into this issue. It’s all about making sure that they’re heard and doing them justice and to try to raise awareness.”

The performers were asked a question regarding how they hoped to bring this larger conversation to the context of a college campus. Buchanan responded by describing how some students have used online websites to date for money, and said, “These can turn into a forum of sex trafficking that can be common for people to try and use to pay their tuition.”

Tiff Roma, an Artistic Associate with Girl Be Heard, argued that educating our youths is the place to start when fighting this issue. “That’s a place for us to start, to bring sex education into our education system, and talking about the encompassing of sex trafficking and consent and rape culture,” said Roma.

After the Girl Be Heard performance, Marino sat on the stage to share her story. At 19 years old, her boyfriend at the time convinced her to participate in sex work for easy and fast money.

Marino emphasized that most people who become sex workers were already in a vulnerable situation.

Many were either sexually abused or neglected in some way. “They say prostitution is the oldest profession. If they say that, they have to realize that childhood sexual abuse is the oldest oppression,” she said.

She explained that the notion that

women choose to become sex workers is inaccurate. Marino said, “I know as a little girl I never dreamt of becoming a prostitute and junkie, and I really don’t think that any other little girl does dream that. Never in my whole time of being trafficked, or afterwards, did I meet a girl in the sex trade that said she enjoyed it.”

Marino explained that her boyfriend had groomed her by making her doubt herself. Before him, she explained, she wanted to be a journalist. “They size you up in minutes and know exactly what to say to make you gain love and trust for them, and then they use that against you,” said Marino.

At first, she wasn’t aware that her boyfriend was involved in trafficking.

Then, after discovering her best friend was a sex worker, she told her boyfriend. He happened to know the man she worked for.

“He takes me to her house in Chestnut Hill. Who would ever think there was a trafficker living there with about four or five women, in this huge home with a fence around it?” said Marino.

She continued, “The thing about sex trafficking and why were talking about it is because it’s not in plain sight. Sex trafficking isn’t really happening on the streets anymore, it’s indoors. It’s not happening in our sight, so we think it’s not happening.”

Eventually, her boyfriend convinced her to participate. For years, she was a sex worker living with her boyfriend in Boston and travelling to Hartford, CT to work in massage parlors. Later, she worked in ME. By then, she felt trapped.

“I wasn’t going to sit down with

my parents and say I’m a prostitute. I wasn’t going to call the police because then I’d be arrested for prostitution. If I told on him, I’d be a rat, and then I’d be afraid if he’d kill me or that he wouldn’t like me anymore,” she said.

She was able to escape when she began servicing a man who did not ask for sex, but just to talk. She explained that she gave him her real name, and asked if he could be her reference so she could move into her own apartment. He said yes.

For many years after, she became a drug addict, and later returned to prostitution to afford the drug abuse.

Finally, she was able to get clean, and cited her relationship with a church as a huge help in her recovery.

“It’s really been my faith that has been my anchor, and has really helped me stay grounded and stay connected,” she said.

“If you come across someone who shares that she’s being trafficked, don’t judge. Offer to be a safe and supportive person and love her for where she’s at,” said Marino.

Now, Marino is a mother of two and works as a mentor to help young girls in the same situation she was once in.

She began speaking publically about her experiences only 4-5 years ago.

Marino started her own organization called Bags of Hope to aid young women in these situations.

Editor’s note: I selected this article because it exemplifies our universities initiative to make the student body aware of current issues. Campus Life has been fortunate to frequently cover events that touch important subjects like this.

(Originally published: April 12, 2016)

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Doucette scores 1000th point in overtime loss to Hartford Michaela Hyde and Alexa Hyde Connector Staff

Senior forward Lindsey Doucette notched her 1,000th career point as a River Hawk as the UMass Lowell women’s basketball team fell to Hartford in a 75-70 overtime thriller Wednesday night at the Costello Athletic Center.

The River Hawks and the Hartford Hawks played an even game, matching point for point for the majority of the match. Despite a strong offensive showing in the third and fourth quarters, neither team could hold the lead for long.

UMass Lowell trailed with seconds left in the final quarter but junior guard Nicole Hayner tied the game with a three-pointer and sent the game into overtime. The River Hawks couldn’t hold onto their scoring momentum in overtime and after committing five of six fouls.

“Just really proud of the effort that we had and, unfortunately, we just didn’t make enough winning plays at the end to win in overtime,” said UMass Lowell head coach Jenerrie

Harris about the loss.

In the third quarter of the high-intensity match up, Doucette’s layup with 1:01 left in the period put her past the 1,000 point milestone and brought the game to 46-43 in favor of the visiting Hawks. The bucket brought her to 19th of 28 total points on the night.

Doucette became the 15th player in program history to score 1,000 points in their career.

“We’re ready for every single game,” Doucette said. “We have seven games left now and this past week we’ve worked super hard. And I know for me and Mel [Melissa Frase] being seniors, we’re leaving it out on the floor every single game and I know our teammates are backing us up with that every single game.”

The first quarter started off evenly matched. Doucette scored first for the River Hawks, giving UMass Lowell an early lead that went back and forth with Hartford as they answered UMass Lowell basket for basket. An offensive burst from the River Hawks gave Lowell a firm three-point lead at the end of the quarter.

The start of the second quarter featured high pressure defense from both sides. The River Hawks took their time with the ball on offensive and laid out clean plays that featured strong passing from Doucette, Hayner, and Frase.

However, the River Hawks forfeited several scoring opportunities to the shot clock, and Hartford was able to capitalize and take the lead. The second quarter ended with a 25-22 score in favor of Hartford.

The second half of the game turned physical, with the third quarter seeing nine fouls committed, five by UMass Lowell. Hartford saw the largest lead of the game in the third quarter, where they briefly pulled ahead by nine points. The River Hawks were able to retaliate, with the offensive duo of Doucette and sophomore forward Kayla Gibbs earning the River Hawks 13 points in the final five minutes of the quarter. By the end of the third, the River Hawks trailed by just one.

Hartford earned the first offensive points in the final quarter of regulation time. However, strong movement

around the ball and good defense kept UMass Lowell in the game. The River Hawks played a strong and physical defensive game, committing seven fouls and earning five defensive rebounds. While UMass Lowell trailed at the start of the quarter, they regained the lead in the final minutes before conceding to a tie to end regulation time.

Overtime started off strong for the River Hawks after a basket from Doucette, but UMass Lowell couldn’t hold onto the lead. UMass Lowell trailed after a series of fouls in the final minutes gave Hartford seven free throw attempts, five of which they made, sealing the game for the visitors.

The River Hawks will travel to Stony Brook for another America East matchup Saturday, Feb. 6 at 2 p.m.

Editor’s note: This is a very good game recap of a very special game. The women’s basketball team has had a tough go of it this year, but it was exhilarating to see Lindsey Doucette reach a special milestone. (Originally published: Feb. 3, 2016)

Issac White excels in first season as River Hawk ►Continued from front page

for White, who, like many other freshmen around the league, had to make the big jump to Division I ball.

While he has made that transition look easy, coming in at only 6 foot tall and 165 pounds can be seen as a disadvantage.

While the freshmen–senior gap in high school is noticeable, the college equivalent is comparable to boys against men.

“The physicality of Division I is a lot more intense,” said White. “Playing in high school, everyone was around my size.”

White grew up in Ashland, Ohio, a small town 67 miles down I-71 from Cleveland. Before coming to UMass Lowell, White led his high school to a 22-2 record, and the Ohio Cardinal Conference Championship as a senior.

“I played in a league that was competitive, but it was not the top league in the state or anything,” said White.

“There was AAU, too. I played in that on the national level. That definitely prepared me for UML.” His play in high school certainly

caught the eye of UMass Lowell recruiters, but even they could not have imagined the player White has transformed into in just 25 games.

Athleticism is not a gift only Isaac has in the White household. Isaac’s father, Matt, played Division III basketball in college, while his mother, Julie, played high school sports. White always knew that basketball was his love, and his parents were supportive and on board.

“My dad was a high school basketball coach, so I was always in the gym with him shooting,” said White. “I just love the game. I kind of told my dad I wanted to be a really good basketball player, so he made sure to push me. My dad was my coach growing up through elementary school and a little bit of AAU. When I got to high school he helped as an assistant coach.”

Isaac’s brother Elijah also shares a love for basketball. Elijah is currently in the seventh grade, and may potentially be a River Hawk in the future.

“I usually try to beat him one-onone just to try to get him better,” White said with a smile. “He’s always in the gym shooting too, and he loves

coming to the games.”

Basketball is a team sport, but every possession starts with the ball in the point guard’s hands. The point guard is not necessarily the best player on a team, but they are the one to get the offense started.

White is a both scorer and a playmaker with the ball in his hands.

“He can shoot the ball, and he’s a real good decision-maker,” said Harris. “Playing with him this year has definitely made me want to take more pride in my shot. He’s fun to be around on and off the court. He knows when it’s time to be serious, and he knows when to joke around and have fun with the team. He’s just a great kid, and I’m glad that we have him.”

The future is nothing but bright for White here at UMass Lowell. As the NCAA Division I eligibility transition lifts after next season, White will be here to lead the River Hawks to the next step.

“Our junior year Jahad [Thomas] will be a senior,” said White. “We have a good core of young guys now, and I really think that we can make a run at the NCAA tournament.”

It is unclear what roster changes might happen between now and the NCAA postseason-eligible years, but Duquette is confident and more than pleased with the point guard he will have when that transition is made.

“I see him as being one of the best players to ever come through this school,” said Duquette. “I don’t mean to put that pressure on him, but he’s that good, and I know he’s going to work hard every day.”

Up and down the hallways and athletic facilities of UMass Lowell, White is the new blue.

Editor’s note: I’ve chosen to include this feature that former sports editor Kyle Gaudette wrote on Isaac White because it was a massive hit for the website and shone a light on an excellent basketball player -- a sport we haven’t been able to pay too much attention to. What stands out is the complete picture that Kyle portrays of White, and the great quotes that he got from coaches and family -- even White himself. This is likely the best sports feature article of the year. (Originally published: Feb. 16, 2016)

Amazin’ Bazin: Lowell legend leading hockey team to new heights Kyle Gaudette Connector Editor

The rugged walls of UMass Lowell’s Tsongas Center now protect a new dynasty built off a tough brand of hockey on the ice, and that dynasty is led by a man who bleeds River Hawk blue.

If Norm Bazin did not become a Lowell legend after his playing days for the River Hawks ended in 1994 with a trip to the second round of the NCAA Division I tournament, then he is doing so now with his work as the head honcho on the bench. In now his fifth year as UMass Lowell’s head hock-

ey coach, Bazin has transformed the River Hawks from a middle-of-the-road Hockey East competitor into a national powerhouse.

In arguably the toughest conference in college hockey, UMass Lowell has made it to four consecutive Hockey East championship games, won two of those and made a run to the Frozen Four in 2013.

This is the fourth time in Hockey East history that a team has made it to four consecutive title games, and UMass Lowell is the third team to accomplish such a feat – Maine made it to seven straight from 1987-93, and Boston College made it to four straight

from 1998-01 and 2005-08.

“The culture around here is very healthy and very strong,” said Bazin. “The guys expect a lot of each other and hold each other accountable. We have great leadership coming from our Chancellor and Athletic Director, and the guys just really buy in to the program that we’ve put in place here.”

When head coach Blaise MacDonald left after the 2011 season, Bazin was a popular candidate to take over the program. During his playing career as a River Hawk, Bazin tallied 32 goals and 36 assists ► See “Norm Bazin,” page 8

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SPORTS

Norm Bazin continues to lead River Hawks to success ►Continued from page 7

in 134 games. He also received the coveted Unsung Hero award from his teammates during his senior campaign when he scored 20 goals and assisted on 15 others.

The River Hawks experienced their best season-to-season turnaround the year Bazin took over. After inheriting a team that went 5-25-4 the year prior, Bazin coached his 2011-12 squad to a 24-13-1 record, and a tie for second in Hockey East. With NCAA Tournament game(s) still to play this season, Bazin currently sits with a 123-56-18 record as UMass Lowell’s head coach – a .601 winning percentage which places him second all-time among UMass Lowell coaches behind Bill Riley’s .801 mark.

“It’s a real privilege and honor to be here after my playing days,” saidBazin. “The guys expect a lot of each other and hold each other accountable. We have great leadership coming from our Chancellor and Athletic Director, and the guys just really buy in to the program that we’ve put in place here.”

When head coach Blaise MacDonald left after the 2011 season, Bazin was a popular candidate to take over the program. During his playing career as a River Hawk, Bazin tallied 32 goals and 36 assists in 134 games. He also received the coveted Unsung Hero award from his teammates during his senior campaign when he scored 20 goals and assisted on 15 others.

The River Hawks experienced their best season-to-season turnaround the year Bazin took over. After inheriting

a team that went 5-25-4 the year prior, Bazin coached his 2011-12 squad to a 24-13-1 record, and a tie for second in Hockey East. With NCAA Tournament game(s) still to play this season, Bazin currently sits with a 123-56-18 record as UMass Lowell’s head coach – a .601 winning percentage which places him second all-time among UMass Lowell coaches behind Bill Riley’s .801 mark.

“It’s a real privilege and honor to be here after my playing days,” said Bazin. “I’m really proud of the program and the great leadership we have. The success is a credit to the culture and the team’s that have come through.

We can compete with anyone in the country. To get to the championship game we beat B.C. the last week of the regular season, then B.U. and Providence. That’s a heck of a statement because you won’t find a better set of opponents out there. It’s exciting for the program.”

The current River Hawks run of success has been nothing short of sensational. While the quality of talent on the ice has improved and developed over Bazin’s time with the team, there is no denying that the top-tier prospects are still looking at the universities with greater notoriety.

Just looking at Hockey East alums, UMass Lowell currently ranks tied for eighth in the conference with only three active players on NHL rosters.

Boston College leads all Hockey East schools with 16, followed by Boston University at 11 and Maine at seven.

“I don’t think we’re ever going to wait for first-round type guys to sit

on our doorstep,” said U P C OM I N G Bazin. “I mean if we River Hawk Games ever had a first-rounder wanting to come here 4 p.m.

Hockey vs. UPEI we would never turn Sunday, Oct. 2 them away, but gener7 p.m. Hockey vs. MInn.-Duluth ally, we get the guys Friday Oct. 7 who were late bloomSaturday, Oct. 8 7 p.m. Hockey vs. Minn.-Duluth ers when it comes to hockey – which is okay. Friday, Oct. 14 TBA Hockey at Colorado College We want our guys to be hard-working more Saturday, Oct. 15 TBA Hockey at Colorado College than anything, and that is how we’ve won the Friday, Oct. 21 7:15 p.m. Hockey vs. St. Lawrence amount of games we For more sports information and full game schedules visit goriverhawks.com have recently.”

“They’re mature and deep,” said Boston Unitude that replicate Lowell itself. The versity head coach David Quinn. “They have no stars oth- next Bobby Orr is probably not goer than the goalie. It’s just a group of ing to be suiting up in the home team a lot of good players. They keep the locker room at the Tsongas Center, game very simple, and you have to ap- but that does not matter to the coach.

For Bazin, as long as he is giving back preciate that.”

C.J. Smith leads this year’s incarna- to the community that gave so much tion of River Hawks with 39 points to him, winning a bunch of hockey on 18 goals, and shot-stopper Kevin games is just a bonus.

“We’re very much like the city of Boyle recorded a school-record seven Lowell,” said Bazin. “Our program shutouts this season as well as a 58save performance in the team’s 2-1 is based around hard work, and the victory over Providence in the Hockey guys holding each other accountable East semi-final game. After those two, to be their best. We’re tough and rehowever, the team’s stats are a log- silient like the people of Lowell, and jam of players all producing the same our goal will always be to give them a offensive output – something that hockey team to be proud of.” has become a staple of the Bazin-led Editor’s note: This article was selected UMass Lowell squads. simply to highlight the coach of our most Above all else, Bazin knows what prolific sports team. Coach Bazin is often makes up a winning formula on the ice. His experiences with the game of covered in our paper. (Originally pubhockey are astounding, and his team’s lished: March 29, 2016) exhibit the grit and never-say-die atti-

River Hawks come up short against Quinnipiac Hannah Manning Connector Staff

ALBANY, N.Y. - A second period collapse against No. 1-ranked Quinnipiac cost the UMass Lowell River Hawks their shot at the Frozen Four and ended their season with a 4-1 loss.

Despite the disappointing result, two UMass Lowell players were named to the East Regional All-Tournament team. Junior defenseman Dylan Zink was honored as a defenseman, while junior Joe Gambardella was listed as a forward.

The River Hawks allowed four unanswered goals despite a strong showing in the first period. Quinnipiac proved tough to outplay, as they continually picked off UMass Lowell’s possession of the puck and shut the door in front of their netminder.

Throughout three periods of play, the River Hawks put only fifteen shots on goal.

“Their layers were tough to penetrate,” said Head Coach Norm Bazin.

Senior captain A.J. White said that part of the reason for the loss was that “[the River Hawks] overlooked some decent opportunities. [Quinnipiac]

did a great job of getting in our shooting lanes and we just didn’t do a good enough job of getting the puck to the net.”

“I thought we passed up on a lot of shots. You just can’t do that against these guys,” said Coach Bazin.

One of the best opportunities of the night occurred when Zink streaked out of the penalty box midway through the second period and put a shot on net that zinged off of Quinnipiac senior goaltender Michael Garteig’s pads.

In a situation that paralleled Saturday’s win against Yale, the River Hawks scored first in the game.

Zink let off a rocket of a shot during the first power play of the night that sailed over Garteig’s pads. It was just over three minutes into the game, and it produced a glimmer of hope in the hearts of River Hawks fans.

While the first period was played very well, with the River Hawks passing crisply and batting away rebounds on senior goaltender Kevin Boyle, the second period undid much of what was done in the first.

Quinnipiac played better than they had in the first, possessing the puck

more and spending more time in their offensive zone. Unfortunately, UMass Lowell came up short with the task of matching them.

They allowed Quinnipiac to make scoring chances while shorthanded, and had an ineffective power play overall. On one particular power play during the third period, Quinnipiac was able to clear the puck out of their defensive zone three times.

“Yeah, there’s frustration throughout the night,” said Coach Bazin, regarding the River Hawk’s inability to penetrate their offensive zone and get some shots on net.

Quinnipiac scored two breakaway goals. The first such goal was started by a hit on sophomore forward C.J. Smith, which gave Scott Davidson an opportunity to peel the puck away.

Davidson sniped a shot over Boyle’s left shoulder, and there was an unsettling feeling shared amongst Lowell fans dispersed throughout the 2,975 in attendance at the Times Union Center.

Unfortunately, Sunday night’s contest against Quinnipiac ended the collegiate careers of the winningest senior class in UMass Lowell program

history.

“It’s a special group,” said Norm Bazin of his senior class. “There’s a good group of six seniors who have done a whole bunch for this program.

The winningest class in program history, enough said. They did a great deal and they will be proud in the years to come.”

Despite the tough loss, Lowell fans still chanted “thank you seniors” after the game. That was not lost on White.

“It means a lot, especially to all the seniors. It’s a tremendous group that we had and it’s not just all of us, it’s the group that we had before us and the group we had this year. I’m thankful to be a part of everything that happened this year.”

Editor’s note: I am choosing to include this article because of the final part of the recap, where the UMass Lowell fans cheer on their seniors. Senior captain AJ White was touched by the gesture, and I think that it shows how passionate UMass Lowell hockey fans are, and that extends into representing the passion of the UMass Lowell student body overall. (Originally published: March 27, 2016)