Northern Vermont Lyndon's Jaydan Allinson takes a swing at pitch delivered by Rivier's Syndney Greeno (not ;pictured) in front of Raiders catcher Alyssa Gerardi during Riv's season-opening doubleheader sweep on Saturday in Nashua. (Photo courtesy of Northern Vermont Lyndon)

NASHUA — Games. Goals. Hits. Runs.

Sports competition is officially back for the first time in over a year at Rivier University, beginning with the Raider men’s lacrosse 18-7 victory over St. Joseph’s of Connecticut at Merrill Field on Saturday and continuing later in the day at the Robinson Pavilion with a 13-0, 13-1 softball sweep of Northern Vermont Lyndon.

Last spring’s sports season was called off about three weeks in, and there were no fall or winter seasons at Rivier due to the pandemic.

“It was a beautiful day to have an afternoon back on the field with the scoreboard turned on,” Rivier men’s lacrosse coach Jay Delanoy said.

Raider lacrosse freshman Connor Eck of Franklin, Mass. had quite a day with eight goals while senior Dylan McSparren (Warwick, R.I.) had four goals and three assists.

Two other freshmen aided the Raider cause. Salem’s Mike Ference added two goals and four assists while Boscawen’s Coby Mercier had two goals and three assists.

Information on the Raiders’ softball sweep was not immediately available. No spectators, including media, are allowed at Rivier athletic events this spring by pandemic related rules and protocols stipulated by the Great Northeast Athletic Conference.

Unfortunately for Rivier two scheduled Saturday road events didn’t take place — the Raiders women’s lacrosse game scheduled at Norwich was postponed as well as the baseball team’s scheduled doubleheader at Dean College.

The Raider men’s lacrosse team next plays, while softball is scheduled to be at Dean College next Saturday.

Rive women’s lacrosse is slated to now open up next Saturday at Joanne Merrill Field at 11 a.m. vs. in-state rival Colby Sawyer. The Raiders baseball squad hopes to begin its season next Saturday at home (either Holman Stadium or Harvey Woods Field) vs. Albertus Magnus.