15 Massachusetts hockey team battled its way to a 5-3 win against Northern Michigan in its season opener. With just over six minutes remaining in the game and the score knotted at three, UMass controlled possession inside the offensive zone. A minute later, freshman Vaclav Nestrasil responded, scoring his first UMass goal off a deflection as he crashed the back post. Just under four minutes into the game, UMass forwards battled in the corner to regain possession after losing an offensive zone faceoff. We played a hell of a game and Northern Michigan made us fight for it.”The Minutemen return to action against Northern Michigan on Sunday, Oct. 5, at the Mullins Center.