On the road against Quinnipiac, the No. 6 team in the nation, the UMass hockey team climbed out on an early hole to tie the game.
But the Minutemen couldn’t hold on and fell, 3-2, Tuesday.
The Bobcats took a 2-0 lead in the first period, but Ryan Badger gave UMass intermission momentum with a goal with 1:49 left in the opening frame to make it 2-1.
Senior captain Steven Iacobellis tied the game just beyond the midway point of the second period.
Quinnipiac’s Tanner MacMaster scored the game winner with 7:03 left.
Sophomore Nic Renyard made 43 saves in his first start of the season for the Minutemen (2-2). They’ll open conference play against New Hampshire, Friday at 7 p.m. at the Mullins Center.
Amherst College 3, Trinity 2 (2OT) — Emily Masten scored in the 101st minute of the second overtime to give Amherst the win at home.
Emily Hester had a goal and two assists while Hannah Guzzi also scored.
Chelsea Cutler made four saves for No. 20 Amherst (12-2-1, 7-1-1 NESCAC)
Smith College 3, Mount Holyoke 2 (OT) — Innis Hitt netted the game-winner for the Pioneers at home.
Jackie Foody and Meredith Roberts also scored for Smith (8-5-5, 2-4-3 NEWMAC).
Sara Sanau Ruiz and McKenna Lamb scored for the Lyons (8-9, 2-7 NEWMAC).
Smith College 3 Mount Holyoke 1 — The Pioneers (4-21) won on the road behind 15 kills by Xela Miller and 36 assists by Maca Rojas.
Jamesa Allen led the Lyons (5-16) with 13 kills.
Set scores were 25-19, 18-25, 25-20 and 26-24.