NASHUA, N.H. – The Rivier men's lacrosse team extended its program-best winning streak to seven games with a 14-6 victory over Saint Joseph's (Me.) in Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) action on Wednesday evening at Joanne Merrill Field.
With the win, the Raiders improved to 9-1 overall and remained undefeated in conference play at 5-0 while the Monks fell to 3-8 (1-4 GNAC).
Graduate student Connor Eck netted two early goals in the opening 2:14 to give Rivier a quick 2-0 lead. Senior Sawyer Hall added to the tally with a finish off a feed from graduate student Coby Mercier. Moments later, first-year James DelPrete scored his fifth goal of the season, extending the Raiders' lead to 4-0. Eck then completed his hat trick with an unassisted goal and Mercier added his second point of the night before the quarter closed to help the Raiders take a 6-1 lead after one.
Saint Joseph's struck first in the second quarter, but Mercier answered back quickly to restore the six-goal gap at 8-2. The Monks responded with two goals in quick succession to cut the deficit to 8-4. Strong defense followed on both sides, with the Raiders breaking through once more before the half ended as graduate student Michael Ference scored to give Rivier a 9-4 lead at the break.
Mercier opened the third quarter with a goal to complete his hat trick, but the Monks answered just 38 seconds later. Hall then added his second of the game, and Mercier tallied his fourth to open the Raider lead to 12-6 heading into the fourth quarter.
Senior Michael Zapatka scored two late goals in the final frame to seal the 14-6 win for the Raiders.
Ference led the Raiders with six points on two goals and four assists. Mercier followed with four goals, one assist, and two ground balls. Eck added three goals and two ground balls, while Zapatka finished with two goals and four ground balls. Senior Chris Heitmiller and Hall each contributed two assists, and senior Parker Williams added his second assist of the season. Defensively, graduate student Adam Hailey recorded three caused turnovers and five ground balls.
In goal, graduate student Sawyer Gagnon recorded nine saves, surpassing the 100-save mark for the season.
The Raiders outshot the Monks 40-27 and forced 25 turnovers while committing just 18 of their own. Rivier also held a slight edge in ground balls, 33-32 and converted on 23-of-26 (88.5%) clear attempts while Saint Joseph's finished 12-of-16 (75%).
The Raiders look to extend their winning streak as they take on the defending GNAC champions Saint Joseph (Conn.) on Saturday, April 12. Opening faceoff is set for 3:00 p.m. at the USJ Athletics Complex.
