Men's Lacrosse: Raiders capture first conference win at home against AMCats, 11-9.

(Nashua, N.H.) The Rivier University Raiders earned thier first conference win at home tonight against the AMCats of Anna Maria College, 11-9.  

For every goal scored by the AMCats in the first half, the Raiders responded with a goal, or two, or three.  Anna Maria's Brandon Pavoni (Granby, Mass) was the first to get on the board tonight with an unassisted goal after seven minutes of play.  About five minutes later senior Eric Guinasso (Pelham, N.H.) netted the first of five goals he wound up scoring tonight.  The assist was credited to senior captain, Colby Larsen (Windham, N.H.). 

Both teams battled it out the first period.  The visitors managed to fire off 6 shots while the hosts fired off 7.  6-8 AMCat clears were successful while the Raiders were perfect, 3-3.  Senior Goalie Matt Cloutman (Peabody, Mass) pulled down 2 saves while, AMCats goalie Paul Schwarz denied 1 shot.  Both programs defenses kept the game tight as first period ended 1-1.  

It was the second period where program history was made.  Pavoni struck first off a dish from freshman Kory Fortier (Oxford, Mass). 

Then minutes later, Cloutman makes an epic save, then the ball found Mc Sparren who unselfishly hooked Larsen up with an assist that led to his 131st goal of his collegiate career.  Breaking former teammate Liam Ryan's ('18) record, 130 goals.  Guinasso struck again a minute later.  

The AMCats responded with another goal.  Then the Raiders responded with three more goals. Two goals from Robert Fullerton (Wilmington, Mass.) assisted by Larsen and senior Jake Genest (Salem, N.H.).  Larsen scored again two minutes later off a dish from Fullerton. 

Eric Guinasso went on to score 3 more goals in the game for a total of 5.  Fullerton collected a total of 3, Larsen for 2 and McSparren for 1.  

Both Goalies dealt with 21 shots on goal.  However, Cloutman topped his rival with a total of 12 saves, while Schwarz registered 10.

This win brings the Raiders overall record to 6-2, 1-0 in GNAC play.  The AMCats are now 3-6 and drop to 0-3 in conference play. 

The Raiders are slated to face off against Johnson & Wales (2-8, 1-3 GNAC) in Providence, R.I. this Saturday at 12PM.  The AMCats will host Norwich University (4-3, 2-0 GNAC) in Paxton, Mass. on Thursday at 6PM.