Freshman Matty Babb had two goals for Rivier in a 14-6 GNAC semifinal loss at Norwich on Wednesday night. (Photo courtesy of Rivier University)

They made the most of the season that they were able to have.

Unfortunately for the Rivier University men’s lacrosse team, that season, however pandemic-shortened it was, came to an end on Wednesday night with a 14-6 loss to host Norwich in the Great Northeast Athletic Conference semifinals at Sabine Field in Northfield, Vt.

The teams were tied 5-5 at the half but Norwich dominated the second half on the scoreboard, outscoring the Raiders (4-5 overall) 9-1.

Norwich outshot the Raiders by a 32-19 margin, with Rivier goaltender Sawyer Gagnon collecting 18 saves. The Cadets actually fired 62 shots in total to Riv’s 27.

Gagnon kept Rivier in the game as long as he could.

“Sawyer was outstanding in goal,” Riv coach Jay Delanoy said. “And the guys battled hard in front of him all night.”

Matty Babb and Connor Ek each had two goals for the Raiders, while Coby Mercier had a goal and two assists and Alan Cozzolino a goal. Payden Masaracchia led Norwich with five goals.

Babb’s first goal actually gave Riv a 3-1 lead in the first quarter, and the Raiders led 5-4 before Norwich tied it on a Jack Anzalone goal with 6:04 left in the second quarter.

It stayed 5-5 at the half, and Mercier tied the game at 6 early in the third before the Cadets (5-2 GNAC, 9-3 overall) scored the final eight goals of the contest.

Still, Riv got nine games in, won a tournament game at home and reached the semis after the season was cut short a year ago.

“I’m proud of how our guys played tonight,” Delanoy said.

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