Lucas Mercuri came through in the third period for the No. 10 Massachusetts hockey team on Friday against Merrimack. 

Tied 2-2, Mercuri smashed home a shot off a dish from Scott Morrow with 16:03 left in regulation to give UMass the lead. Minuteman goalie Michael Hrabal stopped all nine shots he saw in the third period, allowing UMass to come away with a 3-2 victory in North Andover. 

Cole O’Hara gave the Minutemen (13-6-3) the opening lead of the game, scoring 3:45 into the contest. Jack Musa and Mercuri were credited with the assists.

The Warriors (10-14-1) answered with 6:31 to go in the opening period off a shot from David Sacco. 

Morrow gave UMass the lead back 6:25 into the second period, scoring off a dish from Kenny Connors. Samuli Niinisaari was also credited with an assist on the play.

Merrimack’s Ethan Bono tied the game back up with 8:14 to go in the second period. 

Hrabal finished with 26 saves in the win while Warriors goalie Zachary Borgiel tallied 18 saves. 

UMass is back in action on Saturday, hosting Maine at the Mullins Center. Puck drop is set for 7 p.m.