Men's Soccer blanks Wheelock, 6-0; Russo collects hat trick

(Nashua, N.H.) The Rivier University Men's Soccer team evened up their overall record this evening with a resounding 6-0 win over visiting Wheelock College in non-conference action at Raider Field. The win moves Rivier to 2-2 on the year while Wheelock falls to 0-6.

Senior Michael Russo (Lynn, Mass.) was the story of the match as he recorded his first career hat trick with three goals on seven shots. It was the first three goals that the veteran has scored this season. Russo got the Raiders on the board in the 30th minute as he collected a perfectly placed thru ball from freshman Thomas Chmura (Whitman, Mass.) and beat the keeper nearside to give Rivier the only goal they needed. Russo would extend the score to 3-0 on his second goal of the game in the 41st minute as he knocked home a pass from classmate Alex Armstrong (Wakefield, R.I.). The hat-trick would be completed in the 62nd minute as Russo again found the back of the net with help from freshman Cam Holdsworth (Pelham, N.H.).

Armstrong had quite the game himself as he netted his first two goals of the season and assisted on one for a total of five points. The other goal was scored by freshman Justin Leger (Wilmington, Mass.) who netted his first career collegiate goal in the 50th minute on a pass from junior Alex Baker (Danvers, Mass.).

Freshman Christopher Pervere (Milford, N.H.) was credited with his first career win in the net without seeing a shot on goal. Wheelock's Gary Broad faced 23 shots and was able to make 17 saves.

The Raiders will look to climb above .500 and even their conference mark in their next contest on Saturday evening. Rivier will welcome Saint Joseph's College of Maine to Raider Field for a 5:30pm scheduled kick-off. Wheelock will return to the pitch on Sunday afternoon with a road trip to Dean College.