AMHERST, Mass. — As expected, St. Lawrence University men's hockey coach Joe Marsh shook up the lineup Friday.

He got the result he wanted.

The Saints scored the first four goals of the game and fended off a late rally to edge No. 17 Massachusetts, 4-3, in a nonconference matchup at the Mullins Center. The Minutemen (6-6-1) pulled goaltender Paul Dainton with over a minute left and scored twice to put the pressure on St. Lawrence. But Saints junior Travis Vermeulen won two faceoffs in the defensive zone to lock up the win.

With the victory, SLU (5-6-1) halted its five-game winless streak, which included four consecutive losses. The Saints' biggest contributor was freshman goalie Robby Moss, who finished with 24 saves in his first collegiate win.

"Obviously, it was a big one for Robby Moss, and I thought he was very poised and made a number of key saves at key times in the game," Marsh said. "It was also nice to see us come away with a positive result after getting a very consistent effort across the board."

It was Marsh's intention to switch up the lines and develop St. Lawrence's bench for this weekend's games. But by the time the Saints traveled to Massachusetts, they were without two regulars. Massena native Aaron Bogosian missed his first collegiate game Friday after injuring his shoulder in practice Wednesday.

A more notable absence was that of SLU captain Jared Ross. The Saints' senior defenseman returned home to Stony Island, Nova Scotia, to be with family after his brother died of cancer Thursday.

"Those are two everyday guys who will certainly be missed whenever they can't be in the lineup," Marsh said. "I know everyone's thoughts and prayers are with Jared and his family. It certainly puts things in perspective."

St. Lawrence jumped ahead with two goals in the first period. Alex Curran deflected a shot past Dainton for the Saints' first goal, and defenseman Zach Miskovic scored on a breakaway as SLU went up 2-0.

Mike McKenzie buried his fifth goal of the season midway through the second period, and Miskovic followed with his fifth as St. Lawrence extended its lead to 4-0. The goals were the Saints' only two shots of the period. Kevin DeVergilio and Canton's Sean Flanagan finished with two assists apiece.

The Minutemen netted their first goal on Cory Quirk's short-handed tally later in the second period. When UMass had an extra attacker on the ice late in regulation, Quirk and Alex Berry scored 26 seconds apart to keep it close.

The Saints were able to maintain the lead despite eight penalties, as SLU nullified seven Massachusetts power plays.

nNOTES:SLU forwardBrock McBridesupplied an assist, but he left the game following a collision in the second period and did not return. ... UMass outshot St. Lawrence 27-21. ... Quirk added an assist and finished with three points. Fellow forwardJames Marcouchipped in two assists for the Minutemen.

WOMEN

ST. LAWRENCE 5, OHIO STATE 1

Carson Duggan scored two goals and added one assist, and Brasher Falls native Marianna Locke scored a goal for her 100th career point as the Saints (9-2-2) routed Ohio State in a nonconference game at Appleton Arena.

Hogansburg native Alley Bero and Britni Smith also scored goals for the Saints.

Natalie Spooner scored for the Buckeyes (5-10).