Rivier Advances To Second Round Of NCAA Tournament, Will Face No. 8 Bowdoin Saturday
Release Courtesy of Rivier Athletic Communications
NASHUA, N.H. – Behind a nine-point performance from graduate student Michael Ference, the Rivier men's lacrosse team earned its first-ever NCAA postseason victory with a 20-10 win over Maine Maritime on Wednesday, May 7 at Joanne Merrill Field.
The victory extended the Raiders' winning streak to 15 games and improved their record to 17-1, while the Mariners concluded their season at 10-6.
Rivier stormed out to a 9-0 lead to open the contest, fueled by goals from Sawyer Hall, Coby Mercier, James DelPrete, and hat tricks from Ference and senior Michael Zapatka within the first 16 minutes of play.
The Mariners got on the board at the 12:20 mark of the second quarter, but Ferrence quickly responded with his fourth goal of the game to push Rivier's lead to 10-1. Graduate student Connor Eck then added his name to the scoresheet, followed by Zapatka's fourth goal with 5:38 remaining. Both teams found the net in the final minute of the half, sending the Raiders into halftime with a 14-2 lead.
Rivier opened the second half with quick strikes from Ferrence and Hall, but Maine Maritime answered with a pair of goals, including a man-up score. Senior Trevor Reilly found the back of the net late in the third quarter, giving the Raiders a 17-4 lead heading into the final frame. In the fourth, senior Chris Heitmiller netted two goals and junior Sean Callinan added one of his own, as the Raiders closed out a 20-10 victory.
The Raiders held a narrow 42-40 edge in shots and forced 22 turnovers while committing just 14. They also went 19-of-23 on clear attempts (82.6%) and collected 33 ground balls in the victory.
Zapatka followed Ferrence's nine-point effort with five points of his own, scoring four goals and adding an assist, along with three ground balls and two caused turnovers. Mercier also tallied five points, recording one goal and four assists. Heitmiller contributed three points and two ground balls, while Eck and Hall each registered two goals.
Defensively, sophomore Cole Ronalter and senior Joseph O'Reilly led the Raiders with two caused turnovers apiece, while six other Raiders each forced one turnover. Senior Parker Williams recorded a team-high five ground balls, with graduate student Adam Hailey close behind with four.
Graduate student goalkeeper Sawyer Gagnon recorded nine saves, improving his record to 15-1 on the season.
Rivier advances to the Second Round of the NCAA Championship and will travel to Brunswick, Maine to face No. 8 Bowdoin, as ranked by the United States Intercollegiate Lacrosse Association (USILA). The opening faceoff is set for noon on Saturday, May 10, at Whittier Field.