Rivier Picks Up Play-In Round Victory to Advance in GNAC Women’s Soccer Tournament

GNAC WOMEN'S SOCCER CHAMPIONSHIP CENTRAL

WINTHROP, Mass. – No. 7 seed Rivier came away with a 4-0 win in the Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) Play-In Round on Thursday (Oct. 26) evening to advance to the GNAC Quarterfinals on Saturday, Oct. 28.

The Raiders scored in the opening minutes of the match against No. 10 seed Albertus Magnus, which would be all the scoring they would need. They tacked on three more goals for the 4-0 final.

Due to the on-going situation in Maine, the other Play-In game between No. 8 seed Saint Joseph's (Maine) and No. 9 seed Elms was postponed. They are currently scheduled to makeup the game on Friday, Oct. 27 at 7 p.m. at Rivier.

Three of the quarterfinal matches are scheduled for Saturday, Oct. 28.  The seventh seeded Raiders will travel to No. 2 seed Emmanuel at 1 p.m. in one match. The other two matches feature No. 3 seed Lasell hosting No. 6 seed University of Saint Joseph (Conn.) at 1:30 p.m. and No. 4 seed Colby-Sawyer hosting No. 5 seed Regis at noon.

With the SJC-Elms match being moved, the winner will advance to play No. 1 seed Johnson & Wales on Sunday, Oct. 29.

The four quarterfinal winners will advance to the GNAC Semifinals on Wednesday, Nov. 1 with the two semifinal winners earning berths into the 2023 GNAC Women's Soccer Championship match on Saturday, Nov. 4. The team that takes the conference crown will earn the league's automatic qualifier into the 2023 NCAA Division III Women's Soccer Championship.

#7 Rivier 4, #10 Albertus Magnus 0

Recap courtesy of the Rivier Athletic Communications Department.

NASHUA, N.H. - The seventh seeded Rivier women's soccer team shut out the No. 10 Albertus Magnus Falcons in the Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) Play-In game on Thursday evening at Merrill Field. The contest marked the first playoff game played with home field advantage for Rivier since Oct. 24, 2000. The Raiders moved to 10-6-3 overall and 8-5-2 in GNAC action with the victory, while the Falcons played their final game of the season, ending 6-7-5 overall and 5-6-4 in GNAC play. 

Just under three minutes into the contest, Kaylee Magoon of Rivier found Olivia Maxwell, who raced by the Falcon defenders to record the first goal. 

Raiders' Emily Lizotte was tripped in the box, earning herself a penalty kick, resulting in a goal at 12:10 putting Riv up 2-0. 

In the second half, Samantha Franks tapped the ball to Jordan Butters who dribbled into the box, launching in the third Raiders' goal.  

To ensure Rivier's win, Jillian Arigo earned a goal on the run with an assist credited to Lizotte in the 57th minute of the contest.  

Albertus Magnus outshot Rivier 22-15 but could not find the back of the net. 

Keeper Bri Nugent was tabbed with the win, making three saves in the first half Rivier. Maya Puma came in for the second half for the Raiders and made six saves for the combined shutout. 

2023 GNAC Women's Soccer Tournament Schedule

Play-In – Thursday, Oct. 26
(Hosted by higher seeds)

#7 Rivier def. #10 Albertus Magnus, 4-0 | BOX

Play-In – Friday, Oct. 27
(Hosted at Rivier University – Nashua, N.H.)

#9 Elms at #8 Saint Joseph's (Maine), 7 p.m.

Quarterfinals – Saturday, Oct. 28
(Hosted by higher seeds)

#7 River Winner at #2 Emmanuel, 1 p.m.
#6 University of Saint Joseph (Conn.) at #3 Lasell, 1:30 p.m.
#5 Regis at #4 Colby-Sawyer, Noon

Quarterfinals – Sunday, Oct. 29
(Hosted by higher seeds)

#8/9 Winner at #1 Johnson & Wales, TBD

Semifinals – Wednesday, Nov. 1
(Hosted by higher seeds)

#1/8/9 Winner vs. #4/5 Winner, TBD
#2/7 Winner vs. #3/6 Winner, TBD

Championship – Saturday, Nov. 4

Semifinal winners, TBD

ABOUT THE GREAT NORTHEAST ATHLETIC CONFERENCE

The Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) is an NCAA Division III association made up of 16 member institutions and over 4000 student-athletes across the New England region. Founded in 1995, the GNAC annually sponsors and administers 22 championships, while balancing academic integrity, athletic opportunity and community involvement in an effort to enhance the student-athlete experience.

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