NASHUA, N.H. – The Rivier women's soccer team captured its first Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) Championship in program history Saturday evening, defeating No. 6 Norwich, 5-1, at Joanne Merrill Field.
With the victory, the Raiders improved to 15-4-3 and secured their place in the NCAA Tournament. The Cadets concluded their season at 12-6-2.
Rivier set the tone early, recording the first three shots of the game and earning two corner kicks. The Raiders capitalized on their second opportunity in the ninth minute, as
Kelly Callahan delivered an inswinging corner from the right side that found
Bianca Casna. Casna headed the ball off the crossbar and into the net to give Rivier a 1-0 lead.
The Raiders doubled their advantage in the 38th minute after Norwich was unable to clear its defensive line.
Delaney Scanlon headed the ball back into the box, where
Leah Morrier collected possession and played a pass to
Maya Leach. Leach found
Hannah Smith on the left flank, and Smith finished with a first-time strike over the outstretched arms of the Norwich goalkeeper to send Rivier into halftime ahead, 2-0.
Norwich came out aggressively in the second half, putting an early shot on target that
Olivia Rosario turned aside before recording the next three attempts of the half. Rivier responded with a timely counterattack led by Morrier, who found a streaking
Lily Garey-Wright. Garey-Wright sent a first-time cross into the path of
Amber Casner, who headed the ball into the top of the net to extend the Raiders' lead to 3-0 with just under 35 minutes remaining.
Rivier continued to apply pressure, adding its fourth goal in the 66th minute as Morrier dispossessed a Norwich midfielder, drove through the Cadets' defense and finished with her left foot to make it a 4-0 contest.
Just two minutes later, Morrier struck again to put the Raiders ahead by five. After combining with
Kayla Francillon, Morrier continued her run into the box as the ball was played back to her. Her initial attempt was blocked, but she recovered the rebound and found the back of the net for her second goal of the game. The tally brought her season total to 16, matching her program single-season record set last year.
Norwich's Colby Magoon grabbed a consolation effort in the 83rd minute, but Rivier held on for the 5-1 victory and its first conference championship.
Morrier paced the Raiders with five points on two goals and an assist. Casna added two goals, while Smith accounted for Rivier's other tally. Callahan, Garey-Wright, Leach and Francillon each contributed an assist.
Rosario made five saves in 77 minutes of action to improve to 11-4-3 on the season.
Isabella Bachhuber entered in relief and stopped one shot over the final 13 minutes.
Rivier outshot Norwich, 27-13, including an 11-8 advantage in shots on goal. The Raiders also held a 5-4 edge in corner kicks.
For her efforts throughout the postseason, Morrier was named the GNAC Tournament Most Valuable Player after totaling four goals and two assists. Teammates Young, Leach and Casna joined her on the All-Tournament Team.
Rivier will learn its NCAA Tournament opponent and game date during the NCAA Division III Women's Soccer Selection Show Monday, Nov. 9, at 11:30 a.m.
