Saturday the Hens face a challenging A10 opponent in an unbelievably big match up for both squads. The winner of this game gets a head-to-head win that might be the difference between making the A10 tourney and staying home. If Umass wins they will only have an easily-winnable Hobart game left with just two losses in conference. With a loss, the Hens would be forced to win the last two games against St. Bonnies and St Joes to finish with three losses. Hens would need that head-to-head win over St. Joe's to give them the fourth and final spot in the playoffs. Another scenario where the Hens win this weekend and lose to St. Joes the final weekend would mean that UMass, St. Joes and Delaware would each have three losses. Not sure what the tie breaker scenario would be (something for another day).
The Minutemen are 9-3 with one-sided losses to High Point (15-7) and Richmond (21-7). The Hens lost to both of these squads as well (17-5 vs Richmond and 12-8 to High Point). UMass is coming off a big home win last week versus St. Joes by a score of 14-12. Important to note that UMass second leading scorer Robbie Granara (19g 10a) was on crutches and wearing a boot for the second half of that game. That would be a big loss for the Minutemen if he were unable to play.
The match-up on paper does not look great for the Hens who struggle to score in double digits. UMass defense is led by goalie Owen Salanger who saves roughly 60% of the shots he faces and gives up just 9.4 goals a game. UMass offense averages 12.9 goals a game, but as noted, only had 7 against both High Point and Richmond. I would think that they Hens will need to get at least 12 goals to win this game. The Hens defense has been improving over the last few weeks with the inclusion of freshmen Brady Wesloski at close defense (replacing injured Pat Gillin) and Greyson Dunn at LSM. I believe this squad with Colton Silverstein in net has the ability to keep Umass between 9-11 goals.
On a positive note, the UMass faceoff unit is the second worst in D1, winning just 32%. Freshman Scott Conte is up to 49% for the Hens. The Hens have to make the most of these offensive possessions. I would like to see them push the pace a little and look for fast break opportunities in order to get to +12 goals. Teams very rarely win rock fights up at Garber field. Close, low-scoring games favor the Minutemen everytime.
The bottom line is the Hens have a couple of opportunities to make the playoffs despite having a horrible season-to-date. A win Saturday would be a great first step to turning around this nightmare season for the Hens. Fingers crossed.
UMass at Garber
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1. Be respectful of our online community and contribute to an engaging conversation. We reserve the right to ban impersonators and remove comments that contain personal attacks, threats, or profanity, or are flat-out offensive.
2. Stay on topic. If you feel you really have something to add that doesn’t quite fit the current topic, start a new one.
3. Keep rebuttals and disagreements impersonal. You can disagree with someone respectfully without resorting to name-calling or other insults.
4. Do not single out players for criticism by name, number or position. These are 18-23 year-old kids that are trying their best while juggling a college class load. Let’s be supportive.
5. Remember always that players read these boards; players’ families read these boards; respective recruits read these boards; opposing fans read these boards. As a GoHens.net member, YOU represent Delaware Lacrosse to others. Please do so in a positive manner.
Re: UMass at Garber
LILax wrote: ↑Wed Apr 08, 2026 5:38 pm Saturday the Hens face a challenging A10 opponent in an unbelievably big match up for both squads. The winner of this game gets a head-to-head win that might be the difference between making the A10 tourney and staying home. If Umass wins they will only have an easily-winnable Hobart game left with just two losses in conference. With a loss, the Hens would be forced to win the last two games against St. Bonnies and St Joes to finish with three losses. Hens would need that head-to-head win over St. Joe's to give them the fourth and final spot in the playoffs. Another scenario where the Hens win this weekend and lose to St. Joes the final weekend would mean that UMass, St. Joes and Delaware would each have three losses. Not sure what the tie breaker scenario would be (something for another day).
The Minutemen are 9-3 with one-sided losses to High Point (15-7) and Richmond (21-7). The Hens lost to both of these squads as well (17-5 vs Richmond and 12-8 to High Point). UMass is coming off a big home win last week versus St. Joes by a score of 14-12. Important to note that UMass second leading scorer Robbie Granara (19g 10a) was on crutches and wearing a boot for the second half of that game. That would be a big loss for the Minutemen if he were unable to play.
The match-up on paper does not look great for the Hens who struggle to score in double digits. UMass defense is led by goalie Owen Salanger who saves roughly 60% of the shots he faces and gives up just 9.4 goals a game. UMass offense averages 12.9 goals a game, but as noted, only had 7 against both High Point and Richmond. I would think that they Hens will need to get at least 12 goals to win this game. The Hens defense has been improving over the last few weeks with the inclusion of freshmen Brady Wesloski at close defense (replacing injured Pat Gillin) and Greyson Dunn at LSM. I believe this squad with Colton Silverstein in net has the ability to keep Umass between 9-11 goals.
On a positive note, the UMass faceoff unit is the second worst in D1, winning just 32%. Freshman Scott Conte is up to 49% for the Hens. The Hens have to make the most of these offensive possessions. I would like to see them push the pace a little and look for fast break opportunities in order to get to +12 goals. Teams very rarely win rock fights up at Garber field. Close, low-scoring games favor the Minutemen everytime.
The bottom line is the Hens have a couple of opportunities to make the playoffs despite having a horrible season-to-date. A win Saturday would be a great first step to turning around this nightmare season for the Hens. Fingers crossed.
The defense has looked good the last two games, albeit against lower ranked teams. Louie and Brady are doing a good job and are well coordinated with the rest of the defense. Fewer penalties lately too. Scott Conte seems to be on a good trajectory with his face off play. It sure would be nice to see Keegan Lathrop produce similarly to last week and see folks like Powers, McCurry, TO and D’Ambrogi get some scoring going. Good luck in hoping for some pace pushing play, it seems coach likes to settle down in every possession and work from there. They are loathe to take any fast break opportunities. Like you said, keep fingers crossed.
My wife is from South Hadley, MA near Amherst. We should be going up to visit and watch; but too much to do at home.
Re: UMass at Garber
The Hens are who they are, a supremely offensively-challenged team with an improving defense.
Gotta live with that. This is not a team that will score 13-15 goals a game. Beat the Bonnies next week and hope for the best on Hawk Hill.
Gotta live with that. This is not a team that will score 13-15 goals a game. Beat the Bonnies next week and hope for the best on Hawk Hill.
Re: UMass at Garber
Great game by Silverstein in goal and a gritty effort overall by the team. Go Hens!
Re: UMass at Garber
Sheer panic and after that I was convinced, UMass would tie it up but the D held on and another save as time expired.
Proud to be a F*king Blue Hen 
Re: UMass at Garber
We just lobbed it to the middle part of the field. I could have gotten in my car, drove up to UMass and intercepted that pass by the time that pass came down.
The announcer said the pass was designed to go back to a long pole who was coming off the bench. A long pole? We have enough problems trying to hold onto the ball. Dump that play and put a reprimand in the play writer's file...that play should never see the light of day again.
Also, I was torn over the shot early in the previous possession...perhaps we were hoping for a shot and then another possession?
The D played well enough, and Silverstein did his best General Grievous impression...legs and arms were everywhere...what a performance!
Two Saints left to play...and we could end up with the second seed.
We could also get left out of the playoffs unless we up our goal production...somehow. Need some shooters to get hot.Bowlin', bowlin', bowlin', keep them Blue Hens movin'...