Men's Lacrosse fend off Lions, 14-6

(Boston, Mass.) The Rivier Men's Lacrosse team defeated the Emerson College Lions this afternoon by the score of 14-6. With the win, the Raiders continue their excellent play, winning 5 straight improving their record to 5-0. With the loss, the Lions drop to 1-2 on the season. Though at a first glance, one might think that this was a landslide victory for the Raiders. Despite the scoreboard showing an 8 goal victory, the Raiders were tested in this contest.  

The game began with an unassisted goal by Nick Kitsos (Summit, N.J.) at the 10:53 mark. At first, the goal looked to be the Lions way of showing the Raiders that they wouldn't back down so easily. Unfortunately for the Lions, Tyler Tambouris (Hooksett, N.H.) and the Raiders had other plans. With three straight unassisted goals, Tambouris put the Raiders on top 3-1 at the 14:43 mark of the second quarter. Rivier, at this point, seemingly had all of the momentum and looked as if they were going to run away with this game.

Emerson would fight back however. At the 8:06 mark in the second, Nick Kitsos (Summit, N.J.) with an excellent pass from Calvin Bussiere (Colchester, Conn.) brought the Lions to within one after a man-up strike. Just minutes later Kitsos scored another unassisted goal to tie the game at 3-3. Exactly one minute after the goal, Andrew Romano (Sarasota, FL.) scored an unassisted goal to give the Lions the 4-3 edge.

Back and forth the Raiders and Lions would fight. Another goal by Tyler Tambouris (Hooksett, N.H.) for Rivier and a goal by Andrew Romano (Sarasota, FL.) kept things close for the two teams. What would happen next buried the Lions in an insurmountable hole. Starting with an unassisted goal by Cody Lynch (Salem, N.H.), the Raiders, with excellent team work and communication, surged past the Lions with an impressive (game-winning) run of 7-0. Calvin Bussiere (Colchester, Conn.) scored the lone goal for the Lions in the 4^th quarter but it wasn't enough to overcome the Raiders.

Rivier had good performances turned in by Tyler Tambouris (Hooksett, N.H.) who led the Raiders with an impressive 5 goals and 1 assist. Kevin Dembkoski (Salem, N.H.) added an additional 3 goals for the Raiders while teammates Cody Lynch (Salem, N.H.) and William Ryan (Dorchester, Mass.) each added 2 goals to Rivier's tally.

Emerson had good performances turned in by Nick Kitsos (Summit, N.J.) who led the Lions with 3 goals. Andrew Romano (Sarasota, FL.) added 2 goals and 1 assist while teammate Calvin Bussiere (Colchester, Conn.) added 1 goal and 1 assist for the Lions.  

The Rivier Men's Lacrosse team will next play host to Mount Ida College on March 14^th at 1:00pm in the team's first GNAC conference matchup. As for Emerson College, they will next play host to Thomas College on March 12^th at 6:00pm.