Raiders Men's Lacrosse Ready to Earn Respect

The 2011 Rivier College Men's Lacrosse team is set to compete in the Inaugural Great Northeast Athletic Conference Men's Lacrosse League. Returning just two starters from the 2010 inaugural squad, Co-Captains Matt Nims (Sr., Ware, NH) and Corey Oliverio (Jr., Salem, NH), the Raiders will be in the hunt for the programs historic 1st victory.

This year's squad will be led by a talented group of first year players including freshmen attackmen Danny Hooper (Wakefield, RI, Prout School), Shawn Donovan (Tewksbury, MA, Shawsheen Tech.), and junior Carl Ghannad (Salem, NH, Salem H.S.). Each has the ability to feed the ball and find the back of the net with frequency.

At the midfield, the Raiders will rely heavily on the experience of junior and 2nd year face-off man Oliverio. Newcomers Ryan Cox (Jr., Hudson, NH) and Marc Breton (Fr., Dracut, MA) will also vie for time at the face-off X. Sophomore Justin Chenevert (So.,Wilmington, MA, Shawsheen Tech.) returns this season looking to impact the offense along with rookies Denis Demirovic (Fr., Manchester, NH, Goffstown H.S.), Mark Sarro (Fr., Tewksbury, MA, Shawsheen Tech.), Jeff Kelly (Fr., Westborough, MA, Westborough H.S.), Geoff O'Brien (Fr., E. Bridgewater, MA, E. Bridgewater H.S.) and Chris Nugent (Sr., Camberley, England). This is a talented group of athletes destine to contribute at both ends of the field throughout the course of the season.

The Rivier defensive unit will be anchored by co-captain and returning Defensive Player of the Year, Matt Nims, who is also a member of the successful Men's Basketball program. Joining him for the 2011 season are two experienced defenders in sophomore Matt Buckingham (Acton, MA, Acton-Boxboro H.S.) and junior Kevin Conley (Merrimack, NH, Bishop Guertin H.S.). Additionally, freshman Alex Wezlis (Churchville, NY, Churchville-Chilli H.S.), a member of the Raiders nationally ranked men's volleyball team, will strengthen this talented group. In net in 2011 will be Chris Beniot (Jr., Blackstone, MA, Blackstone-Millville Regional H.S.).

The season opens this Saturday and Sunday at home against non-conference opponents UMaine-Farmington (1pm) and Green Mountain College (2:30pm) respectively. The 2011 home slate includes Becker College (4/5), St. Joseph's College (4/9), Mt Ida College (4/16) and Wheelock College (4/30).