Rivier's Julia Acampora (4) pushes ahead duirng Saturday's GNAC quarterfinals vs. Albertus Magnus. (Courtesy photo by Kyle Prudhomme/Rivier Athletics)

NASHUA, N.H. – The third-seed Rivier women’s soccer team bested Albertus Magnus on home turf on Saturday afternoon, 2-0, to advance to the Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) Semifinals for the first time since the 2000 campaign.

With the result, the Raiders improved to 10-5-6 while the sixth-seeded Falcons finished their season 10-5-4. The Raiders now look ahead to Tuesday’s semifinal round where they will travel to the No. 2 seed, Emmanuel (Mass.). Kickoff from Roberto Clemente Field is slated for 7 p.m.

The Raiders opened the scoring in the eighth minute when senior Olivia Maxwell found space on the flank and delivered a pass to first-year Hannah Smith. Smith redirected the ball to junior Emily Harper, who placed her shot past the goalkeeper, giving the Raiders an early 1-0 lead.

Both teams continued to create opportunities, but the momentum shifted when Harper was fouled inside the box in the 36th minute, resulting in a penalty kick. Graduate student Darcy Wright stepped up and converted the penalty, placing it in the bottom right corner to extend the Raiders’ lead to 2-0 before the game headed into halftime.

The second half featured a series of chances for both teams, but neither found the back of the net. First-year Lily Garey-Wright made a significant impact on the defensive line, providing two goal-line clearances that thwarted the Falcons’ efforts to narrow the deficit.

Rivier outshot Albertus Magnus, 18-13, with five shots landing on target. Junior goalkeeper Bri Nugent recorded four saves in her 10th shutout win of the season.

MEN’S SOCCER

GNAC QUARTERFINALS

NO.2 ALBERTUS MAGNUS 2, NO. 7 RIVIER 1 (OT)

The No. 7 seed Rivier men’s soccer team’s historic season ended in overtime at Celentano Field in the GNAC quarterfinals.

With the result, the Raiders finished the season 7-6-7 while the Falcons improved to 11-4-4 and move on to face JWU (Providence) on Tuesday in the semifinal round.

The match opened competitively, with both teams showcasing strong defensive units. The Falcons eventually opened the scoring in the 27th minute when Lorenzo Lauria found the back of the net from a slick pass by Gabriel Paglia, giving the Falcons a 1-0 lead.

Rivier found the equalizer early in the second half as Luiggi Ferreira finished off a pass from Jose Ochoa inside the six-yard box to tie the game at one apiece.

Both teams maintained their momentum, generating several scoring opportunities, but neither could convert, ultimately sending the match into extra time.

With less than a minute remaining in the first overtime period, the Falcons secured the game-winner when Morgan Stone headed home a pass from Johan Stagnaro into the top right corner, clinching a 2-1 victory.

Sophomore goalkeeper Logan Clough recorded eight saves in the loss.

Under the leadership of first-year head coach Jon Cross, the Raiders achieved their first winning season since 2000 and recorded their best conference performance since 2003. The team also hosted and won their first playoff game since 2000, becoming the first Raiders squad to reach the playoffs since 2016.

WOMEN’S VOLLEYBALL

RAIDERS WIN TWO

The Rivier women’s volleyball team swept Anna Maria and Elms in a Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) tri-match at Picknelly Arena in Chicopee, Mass.

The Raiders improved to 13-14 (8-5 GNAC) with the pair of victories and will return to action on Wednesday, Nov. 6 for a non-conference matchup at home against Mass. Maritime at 7:00 p.m. at the Muldoon Center.

Rivier 3, Anna Maria 0

Rivier used a .304 team hitting percentage with 24 assists coming from senior setter Ryan Hicks to down Anna Maria (12-14, 7-5 GNAC) by set scores of 25-12, 25-7, 25-17.

The Raiders were led offensively by senior middle Lily Sills, who at a .450 pace notched 11 kills. Sophomore outside Sam Driend posted six kills on 11 errorless swings to hit .545 while junior outside Ali Rivera notched eight kills and 10 digs.

Hicks and her classmate Brynn Roche led the Raiders with five and four service aces, respectively, as Rivier amassed 17 aces in the match.

Rivier 3, Elms 0

Senior middle Lily Sills continued her offensive attack in the second of two matches, leading Rivier with 17 kills at a .615 clip.

Juniors Ali Rivera and Kaitlyn Miller posted 15 and 13 digs each as the Raiders limited the Blazers (3-22, 2-10 GNAC) to a .056 hitting percentage. Sills posted two solo blocks and a block assist in the defensive effort.

WOMEN’S HOCKEY

SUNY POTSDAM 6, RIVIER 0

With the loss at Maxcy Ice Arena, the Raiders fell to 0-2-0, while the Bears improved to 2-0-0.

SUNY Potsdam capitalized on their offensive pressure in five-on-five play. The Bears scored in all three periods and found twine three times in the second.

Senior goaltender Rachel Symmes made 33 stops in the contest.

The Raiders look to bounce back Friday in front of their home crowd for their home and Massachusetts State Collegiate Athletic Conference (MASCAC) opener against Anna Maria. Puck drop is tabbed for 4:40 p.m. at Conway Arena.