Men's Lacrosse: The Raiders Top the Saints in Beantown, 11-10.

Boston, Mass. - The Rivier University Men's Lacrosse upsets the Saints of Emmanuel College in a Great Northeast Athletic Conference match up this weekend.

HOW IT HAPPENED:

First to get on the board was freshman Michael Ference (Salem, N.H.) in the Raiders first possession just over a minute into the game. It was a bit of a back and forth until the 7:30 mark when Emmanuel responded after a Rivier turnover.  The score was a locked in at 1-1 at the end of the first leg..

Both programs kept the scoreline tight in the second quarter as well. This time the Saints seperated themselves from the Raiders off an early goal.  The Raiders wound up responding two more times with under three minutes to go in the half.  Ferrence struck again then senior Dylan McSparren (Warwick, R.I.) tallied his first in the match of a dish from midfielder Max Kelley (Dracut, Mass).  The Raiders went into the half 2ith a 3-2 lead.

Freshman Matty Babb (Windham, Maine) and Ferrence were the only to get on the board in the third quarter. Allowing the Saints an opportunity to get back in the game and taking a two goal lead.  The score at the end of the third was 7-5 in favor of the home team. 

The Raiders were able to turn it around in the final leg as four Raiders split five goals.  Ferrence took advantage of an man-up situation and freshman middie Coby Mercier (Boscawen, N.H.) scored off a Kelley assist.   It was rookie Connor Eck (Franklin, Mass.) that tallied three goals that drove a wedge between the two teams.  

TEAM STATS:

The Raiders totaled 34 shots and took advantage of 2-8 extra man opportunities. They went 20-25 in clears, 15-22 in face-offs and out saved the Saints 12-10. 

THE KEEPERS:

Raiders senior starter Ben Fitzpatrick (Stoneham, Mass.) pulled down 9 saves in the performance. Sawyer Gagnon also saw some time, he snagged 3 big saves in the 4th quarter to preseve their one point lead and eventual victory.  

LEADERS – Rivier University:

• Eck now leads the Raiders with 14 goals.
• Freshman Michael Ference (Salem, N.H.) and McSparren both have 5 assists a piece. 
• Fitzpatrick as denied 36 shots to date 

NEXT!

Up next for the Raiders! The Monks of Saint Joseph College (Me.) (4-3 overall, 2-1 GNAC) will come to Joanne Merrill field on Wednesday, April 7th for a 7PM face off.  

Live stream will be available at https://www.rivierathletics.com/live