Men's Lacrosse victorious in overtime at Nichols, 8-7

Video: MLX - Coombs' Game Winner vs Nichols

(Dudley, Mass.) The Rivier University Men's Lacrosse team secured their first win of the season this evening as they squeaked by Nichols College, 8-7 in a non-conference overtime finish at Vendetti Field. The Raiders, playing in their second overtime game in as many tries, overcame a 5-2 halftime deficit with six second half goals to force the extra time before netting the game winner.

Nichols had a chance to win it late in the overtime period but senior goalkeeper Clark Plummer (Londonderry, N.H.) made the clutch save. On the ensuing possession, the Raiders capitalized and netted the game winner.

Sophomore Ryan Coombs (Derry, N.H.) made the last of his 12 shots on net count as his shot with 1:14 left in the overtime frame sent Rivier home with a win. Coombs also netted two goals to lead the second half comeback prior to his game winner. Seniors Kyle Graham (Londonderry, N.H.) and Cody Lynch (Salem, N.H.) registered a goal and a pair of assists each while freshman Colby Larsen (Windham, N.H.) provided a goal and an assist. Plummer finished with 16 saves for Rivier in the contest.

Junior Matt Fiegenblat (Shelton, Conn.) led the Bison attack with three assists and senior Brian Hancock (Groton, Mass.) found the back of the net twice.

Rivier went 2-for-5 on man-up opportunities while the Bison went 0-for-5.

This was the third time in the history that these two programs have met with all three games ending in overtime. Rivier owns a 2-1 record in the series as they were able to beat Nichols, 11-10 last season in Nashua.

Rivier will look to climb above .500 in their next contest as they host Regis College in a 2pm non-conference contest on Saturday afternoon. Nichols will face another Great Northeast Athletic Conference foe in Anna Maria when they return to the field on March 15.