Postseason Preview: Women’s Soccer to Host Albertus Magnus in GNAC Quarterfinals Saturday

GNAC BRACKET

NASHUA, N.H. – The Rivier women's soccer team earned the third seed in the Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) Tournament after recording an in-conference record of 9-5-6 and will play host to No. 6 Albertus Magnus (5-6-4 GNAC) in the Quarterfinal round on Saturday, Nov. 2 at 1 p.m. at Merrill Field.

This is the second straight year the Raiders have clinched a playoff spot since the 2016 campaign and their first time hosting a quarterfinal game since 2000. The Raiders finished third in the conference with 31 points after downing Lasell for the first time in program history. Their 1-0 victory over the Lasers moved them ahead one spot in the standings on the final day of competition.

Under the direction of reigning GNAC Coach of the Year, Daniel Milton, the Raiders finished the regular season with nine conference wins, the most in program history, surpassing the 1999 squad. Rivier started its season with a 0-2-2 record through four games. The team caught stride winning 7 of their next 8 games including their first win over Emmanuel (Mass.) in program history with a 2-1 victory on Alumni Reunion Weekend. Over the stretch, the team won six straight conference matchups and went unbeaten in seven straight conference games.

The Raiders' hot start came to a halt with a loss to conference foe Colby-Sawyer and a scoreless draw to Albertus Magnus. A 1-0 win over Regis turned the tide for Rivier as the squad went on to post an overall record of 9-5-6 (9-2-4) through the end of the regular season.

The team also finished fourth with 15 goals allowed against conference opponents.

Junior Emily Harper led the team in points (11) and is tied for first in goals (3) with graduate student Darcy Wright, senior Samantha Franks, and sophomore Maya Leach. First-year defender Nadia Laxa was a stone wall in the defense and the lead contributor for the Raiders, providing six assists on the campaign.

Junior goalkeeper Bri Nugent finished the season with 90 saves and was first in save percentage (.826) and seventh in goals-against average (1.14). Nugent also received GNAC Goalkeeper of the Week honors three times. Additionally, Nugent logged nine shutouts and nine wins, both program records. The team's ten total shutouts are the most in a season on record.

Lasell made a run late posting a 3-1-1 record including a 2-1 win over Saint Joseph (Conn.) to secure the sixth seed. The Falcons were led by senior forward Erina Ismaili, who finished T-11th in the conference in goals (8) and 15th in points (19). Amy Stevens has been the primary netminder, starting 17 games for the Lasers and finishing with an 8-3-3 record in the conference.

The winner of Saturday's matchup will advance to the GNAC Semifinals to play against the winner of No. 2 Emmanuel and No. 7 Norwich on Tuesday, Nov. 5.