Fields hurt but still sets record

Lowell, Mass.

University at Albany men's lacrosse star Connor Fields left a packed Cushing Field Complex with the program's career record for goals on Saturday night.

He also departed with a knee injury suffered in the top-ranked Great Danes' 13-6 victory over UMass Lowell before a record crowd of 1,751 in a game that left head coach Scott Marr unhappy with chippy play.

"I just hope that we're healthy coming out of it," Marr said. "A lot of shots that were unnecessary, I thought. We've got guys banged up in a (13-6) game and it wasn't what I was looking for."

Sean Eccles scored a career-high five goals and JD Colarusso had a career-best 20 saves for the Great Danes, who improved to 8-0 overall and 2-0 in the America East Conference.

"We played a good team game today," Eccles said. "It was a good win for us. One of those nights where you just have to grind it out, so we're happy to beat any team in the country."

Fields' injury occurred in the first quarter when the Tewaaraton Award finalist was driving to the cage from the right side. He dodged around River Hawks defenseman Jack Hinken and stumbled awkwardly to his knees as UMass Lowell's Cameron Richard came over to help on defense.

Fields limped off the field.

"It's good," Fields said. "It's all right. We'll see. ... I kind of just felt something in my knee. It wasn't really painful. I was dodging down the wing, (Hinken) was behind me, so I don't know what happened. I'll have to look at it on film."

Fields did return in the first quarter and scored the 191st goal of his career on a low, hard shot, breaking the all-time Great Dane record he shared with Miles Thompson.

"It's an honor," Fields said. "It's awesome. It's exciting, but at the same time, just trying to go more into the season and hopefully get that national championship at the end of the year."

Fields came out in the second quarter. Marr said Fields was examined by UMass Lowell's team physician, who didn't detect any structural damage. Marr said Fields will be checked further by UAlbany's doctors when the team returns to Albany.

Marr was uncertain of Fields' availability for the home game against Harvard at Casey Stadium on Wednesday.

Fields did return to start the second half before Marr finally removed him for good.

"We were reluctant to put (Fields) back in, but he felt OK running around at halftime," Marr said. "So we gave him an opportunity, but he really wasn't moving great."

Asked if he's concerned about Fields, Marr responded, "I'm definitely concerned. Any time your best player is looking at a knee, knees are tricky. The doctor didn't feel anything wrong with his knee structurally, so that's a good sign. I think it was more just a good whack on his knee and it's just swollen. He'll be all right. He's a tough kid. He takes a beating all the time."

The game featured superior goaltending with Colarusso and UMass Lowell's Hunter Braun (21 saves).

"I was seeing it very well," Colarusso said. "Our defense played really well tonight. They had a lot of possessions and all our defenders have been playing well since the first game of the season."

UAlbany freshman standout Tehoka Nanticoke scored four goals but got knocked down after the final one with 11:01 to play. UAlbany sophomore faceoff specialist TD Ierlan won 20 of 21 and had 12 ground balls.

But he also got knocked to the ground late in the game, a play that Marr said he talked to UMass Lowell coach Ed Stephenson about afterward.

"I've been coaching against Scott in this conference since 2002, and his teams have always been very, very emotional," Stephenson said. "Sometimes that happens, guys pushing and that's part of it. It's a physical game. And Scotty knows that. I respect him and I think he respects me."

UMass Lowell senior Matt Balter, an Albany Academy graduate, had a hat trick.

UMass Lowell is 4-5 overall and 1-1 in the America East.

msingelais@timesunion.com • 518-454-5509 • @MarkSingelais