Raiders Come Up Just Short, Fall 17 - 14 to JWU in GNAC Conference Quarterfinals

(Nashua, N.H.) The Rivier Men's Lacrosse team (8 – 9, 3 – 6 GNAC) dropped a hard fought GNAC Conference Lacrosse Playoff game 17 – 14 at Johnson and Wales University (12 – 6, 6 – 3 GNAC) yesterday afternoon.  The loss brings the end of another strong season for the growing Rivier Lacrosse Program. 

Johnson & Wales had built up a big lead after three quarters against Rivier, leading 15 – 7.  The Wildcats needed that cushion as they fended off the Raiders' comeback in the 17-14 victory on Tuesday.  Rivier mounted a massive 4^th quarter push, scoring 7 unanswered goals over the first 12 minutes of the quarter to tighten the score to 15 – 14.  The Raiders pulled to within one on a goal by Tyler Tambouris (JR, Hooksett, NH) with 3:12 to play.  The Wildcats needed Sam Sears (Baltimore, Md.) and Bret Verderber (St. James, NY) to combine to score a pair of insurance goals to secure the win.

Rivier was led on the day by Tyler Tambouris, 2 goals, 1 assist, 3 shots on goal, and 3 ground balls; Colby Larsen (SO, Windham, NH), 3 goals, 1 assist, 4 shots on goal, and 2 ground balls; and William Ryan (JR, Dorchester, MA), 6 goals, 2 assists, 12 shots on goal, and 1 ground ball.  In goal, Matt Cloutman (SO, Peabody, MA) went the distance and had 16 saves on the day. 

Johnson and Wales was paced by Ben Farrell, 3 goals, 2 assists, 7 shots on goal, and 3 ground balls; and Max Stone, 5 goals, 1 assist, 8 shots on goal, and 2 ground balls.  The Wildcats were backstopped by 16 saves from Bradley Morris.

The loss ends the 2017 season for Rivier.  This is the 5^th season in a row under Coach Delanoy that the Men's Lacrosse Team has reached the GNAC Tournament.  It is also the 4^th year in a row that the Men's Lacrosse Program has finished the regular season at .500 or better, with an 8 – 8 overall record before entering the GNAC Playoffs.