Women’s Lacrosse Races Past NEC, 12-5

NASHUA, N.H. – Junior Sarah Lachance eclipsed the 200 career point milestone as the Rivier women's lacrosse team earned its first Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) victory of the season, downing New England Col. by a final score of 12-5 on Saturday afternoon at Merrill Field.

The team dedicated the game to the life and legacy of Morgan Rodgers, a former Duke University lacrosse student-athlete who died tragically in July 2019 after battling mental health struggles. Rivier wore Morgan's Message shirts pre-game to bring awareness to the foundation, which helps student-athletes with mental health struggles.

The Raiders improved to 4-4 (1-3 GNAC) while the Pilgrims dropped to 3-5 (1-3 GNAC).

Rivier rolled out to 3-0 lead in the opening 8:33 with Sofia Cebrero and Lachance each recording two points in that stretch. Despite back-to-back Pilgrims goals which cut the deficit to one, Rivier scored a man-down as Chiara Skeels capitalized on a Caitlin Newell feed to put the Raiders up two at the end of the first quarter.

Cebrero and Lachance each scored in the second before a free position goal for NEC made it 6-3 at the half.

Riv poured in three goals to start the second half off, as Lachance tallied the first followed by two goals in less than 30 seconds from Newell. The Pilgrims cut it down to a five-goal game with 7:09 left in the third.

It was the same old story in the fourth quarter as Rivier scored the first three goals of the frame to make it 12-4 with 5:41 to play. Cebreo, Rachel Hinkley, and Lachance each recorded goals over that stretch. Rivier would hold on for a 12-5 triumph.

Lachance had five goals, two assists, two ground balls, and two draw controls in the victory. Cebrero had four points as she recorded a hat trick. Cassie Hemmerdinger registered five caused turnovers and two ground balls. Lindsey Kruger made nine stops in net.

Rivier will hit the road for a GNAC clash with Lasell on Tuesday, April 2 at 5:00 p.m. at Grellier Field.