Men’s Lacrosse Bests JWU in OT

NASHUA, NH: The Rivier men's lacrosse team took down Johnson and Wales University this afternoon in conference action.

THE BASICS:

- Date: 4/23/22

- Score: Rivier 11, JWU 10

- Records: Rivier (12-3, 7-2 GNAC), JWU (8-7, 5-4 GNAC)

HOW IT HAPPENED:

-  The first half was all the Raiders taking a 6-3 lead into the break, despite racking up 16 first half turnovers. Chris Heitmiller (Nashua, NH) got the game started just 20 seconds in on a quick low to high shot to give Riv the 1-0 lead. Heitmiller was followed up by Michael Ference (Salem, NH) to go up by two. The Wildcats would get on the board with 11:56 left in the first quarter on a Mike Muench goal. Coby Mercier (Boscawen, NH) would close out the quarter with the last two Raiders goals.

- The Second started with a 4-2 Rivier lead that stuck there until there was just 3:42 left. Joe McIntyre would make it a one-goal game for JWU right before the Raiders would end the quarter on a two-goal run. Nicholas Tavares (Danvers, MA) and Ference would be responsible for those goals.

- The second half would start with a Heitmiller goal to push the Raider lead to 7-3. However, JWU would go on a five unanswered goal run to put them up by one at 8-7. McIntyre was responsible for two of the five Wildcat goals, with Andrew Vasile, Mike Catuosco, and Tyler Drago the other three. The second and third goals of the five came while a man down.

- The fourth quarter started with Ference breaking up the JWU streak on a man-up opportunity. Now tied 8-8, the Wildcats would respond with two more goals to give them the lead back. Donny Mcinnis and Chris Calisto would be credited with the ninth and tenth goals. The Raiders weren't done, though, as Jefferey Potter (N. Bennington, VT) and Heitmiller would end regulation with Riv's ninth and game tying tenth goal.

- Overtime took less than a minute on a beautiful cut along the crease, Heitmiller found an open Tavares for the game winner.  

INSIDE THE NUMBERS:

-  Sawyer Gagnon (Gorham, ME) picked up win 11 this season on a 19 save day.

-  Ference and Heitmiller both had three goals, with Ference picking up another four assists and Heitmiller one assist.

-  McIntyre topped the Wildcats with three goals.

UP NEXT:

- Rivier men's lacrosse is back in action next Wednesday when they face Dean on J. Merrill Field at 7 PM.

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