MEN'S LACROSSE COMES UP SHORT AT RIVIER, 12-11

(Nashua, N.H.) The Saints of Emmanuel College dropped a 12-11 decision to the Rivier University Raiders on Wednesday evening at Joanne Merrill Field in Great Northeast Athletic Conference men's lacrosse action.

This win lifts the Raiders to 9-3 overall and 4-3 within the GNAC.  The Saints drop to an overall 3-11 and 3-4 in conference play.

The first period started with a pair of goals by senior Ben Hartig-Orr (Reading, Vt.).  

Freshman Nick Ackerman (Durham, N.H.) slowed the Saints down with an unassisted goal under three minutes later.  

Only until Hartig-Orr struck for the third time to regain the two point lead. 

Shortly thereafter, sophomore Dylan McSparren snuck one in to narrow the lead to one point again.  The Raiders peppered Saints sophomore goalkeeper Aric Graves (Manchester, Conn.) with a couple quick shots.  Eventually, senior Rob Fullerton (Wilmington, Mass.) nailed one from close range off a dish from fellow upperclassman Sean Brady (Tewksbury, Mass.). 

Right out of the faceoff, Travis Gusikoff pulled away with possession and handed it off to Fullerton for the equalizer.  The first period ended 4-4.

In the second period, Rob Fullerton continued his rampage by notching two more goals.  In addition, McSparren tallied two of his own goals, one of which was assisted by Eric Guinasso (Pelham, N.H.).

Junior Kyle Newman (Merrimack, N.H.) contributed an unassisted goal before the end of the first half. The first half ended 11-6. 

The 3^rd and 4^th period the Raiders scoring slowed down quite a bit.  All the way down to one goal when all was said and done.  After McSparren's lone goal in the 3^rd period.  The Raiders were scoreless in the 4^th.  Hartig-Orr contributed 3 more goals and his teammate freshman Collin Dickinson (Barre, Vt.)marked his second of the match. Hartig-Orr finished with six goals to tie the Emmanuel College single-game goals record.

Senior Goalie Matt Cloutman (Peabody, Mass.) denied 9 shots, while Graves dealt with 14.

The Raider offense out-shot the Saints 44-33 and out-muscled them on ground balls 34-28.

Next up for the Raiders will be a non-conference match against Norther Vermont University-Johnson on Friday at 7PM on Raider Field.  The Saints will take a hike up to Northfield, Vermont to face off against another conference opponent Norwich University this Saturday at 1PM.

*Release courtesy of Rivier College Athletic Communications