Postseason Preview: Men’s Soccer Hosts Lasell in Thursday Night GNAC Play-In Game
NASHUA, N.H. – The Rivier men's soccer team earned the seventh seed in the Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) Tournament after recording an in-conference record of 5-4-5 and will play host to No. 10 Lasell (4-6-4 GNAC) in the Play-In round on Thursday, Oct. 31 at 7:00 p.m. at Merrill Field.
This is the first time the Raiders have clinched a playoff spot since the 2016 campaign and their first time hosting in recorded history, dating back to 2010. The Raiders finished seventh in the conference with 20 points after downing Emmanuel (Mass.) for the first time since 2009. Their 1-0 victory over the Saints moved them ahead one spot in the standings on the final day of competition.
Under the direction of first-year head coach Jon Cross, the Raiders finished the regular season with five conference wins, tying the 2002 squad. Rivier started its season with a program-best record through four games, going 2-0-2 during that stretch. It also scored the most goals in a game in recorded program history against VTSU-Lyndon (11). This is the first time the team has posted a winning record since the 2000 campaign and the 5-4-5 league ledger marks the team's best conference finish since 2003.
The Raiders' hot start came to a halt with losses to conference foes Albertus Magnus and Saint Joseph's (Me.). A 1-0 win over Lasell turned the tides for Rivier as the squad went on to post an overall record of 5-2-3 through the end of the regular season.
The team also finished tied third with 12 goals allowed against conference opponents.
First-year Alejandro Quezada led the team in points (12) and assists (4), and is tied first in goals (4) with graduate student Thomas Hennessey and sophomore Aldo Vespro. Sophomore goalkeeper Logan Clough finished fifth in the conference in saves (81) and third in save percentage (.818) and goals-against average (1.07). Additionally, Clough logged six shutouts and six wins through 17 games played. The team's eight total shutouts are the most in a season on record.
Lasell made a run late posting a 3-1-1 record including a 4-0 win over Elms to secure the 10th seed. The Lasers were led by their graduate forward Mpumelelo Maphumulo, who finished second in the conference in goals (10) and fourth in points (22). Antonio Centracchio has been the primary netminder, starting 11 games for the Lasers.
The winner of Thursday's matchup will advance to the GNAC Quarterfinals at No. 2 Albertus Magnus on Saturday, Nov. 2 at 1:00 p.m. at Celentano Field.
