Michael Ference led Rivier with two goals but it wasn't enough Wednesday as the Raiders fell at Lasell in the GNAC semifinals. (File photo courtesy of Rivier University)

NEWTON, Mass. — Perhaps the best season ever for Rivier University men’s lacrosse came to a tough end on Wednesday.

The Raiders, which won a program high 14 games, fell to the Lasers of Lasell University in the GNAC semifinals.

Salem’s Michael Ference led the way for Riv (14-4) with two goals. But the Raiders, who were tied at 4, were blanked in the second half.

And likely can’t wait to start again next year with every single player eligible to return.

“We’ll have 30 players returning — ALL 30,” Raiders coach Jay Delanoy said.

The .780 winning percetage for the Raiders was their best ever. They had a 3-1 record in overtime games and went 6-2 in one goal games.

The problem on Wednesday was it wasn’t a one-goal contest, although it looked that way after the first two periods.

The Lasers(12-6) would be the only team to score in the first quarter. James Anderson, Jordan Hines, and Bash Cunningham all contributed to the home team’s 3-0 lead.

Rivier would respond in the second quarter scoring four straight to go up 4-3. Nicholas Tavares got things started for Riv. Salem’s Ference followed Tavares with two goals along with Jeffery Potter contributing as well. Lasell would, however, tie the game back up just before the break on a Nate Taggart goal.

The third quarter would consist of just one goal, the go-ahead score for the Lasers after Anderson netted his second goal of the game.

Taggart, Anderson, and Landon Reyes netted three more for the home team in the four to give them a four-goal lead and pick up the victory to advance to Satuday’s GNAC Championship Game, most likely at top seed Norwich.

Alex Beauchemin racked up 15 saves in net for Lasell.

(Telegraph staff writer Tom King contributed to this report)