Drew Sacca, shown last season. got the game-winner for Rivier on Saturday. (Rivier Athletics file photo)

FRANKLIN, Mass. – The Rivier men’s soccer team defeated Dean in Saturday afternoon’s Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) matchup at the Longley Athletic Complex.

With the win, the Raiders improved to 1-3-3 (1-1-1 GNAC), while the Bulldogs fell to 2-4-2 (1-2-0 GNAC).

HOW IT HAPPENED

With five minutes remaining in the game, graduate student Drew Sacca broke a 1-1 deadlock in the 85th minute, sealing the game for the Raiders, 2-1

Just shy of the fourth minute of play, first-year David Periera found the back of the net on the first shot registered in the contest, giving Rivier the early 1-0 lead

With eight seconds remaining in the half, Dean netted a goal to bring the match level once more

The Raiders entered the second half registering four of the first five shots

Both teams traded opportunities throughout the middle portion of the half, but the game remained tied until Saca’s goal.

BOX SCORE BREAKDOWN

As a team, Rivier outshot the Bulldogs 17-11 (13-6 on goal) and won the corners battle 9-2 … Sophomore Kamar Matthew-Murray led the team in shot with four, all of which were on target…Junior goalkeeper Logan Clough registered five saves in between the posts.

UP NEXT

The Raiders return to action Tuesday for a matchup against GNAC opponents Regis (Mass.) Kick-off is scheduled for 7 p.m. at Joanne Merrill Field.

WOMEN’S SOCCER

RIVIER 1, LASELL 1

The Rivier Women’s soccer team played to a draw with Lasell in a Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) contest at Taylor Field in Newton, Mass. With the result, the Raiders move to 3-3-2 (2-0-1 GNAC), while the Lasers move to 2-1-2 (1-0-1 GNAC).

The first half remained scoreless until the final six seconds, when the Raiders finally broke through. First-year Bianca Casna flicked a header to junior Maya Leach, whose shot was deflected, before classmate Drea Dwyer knocked in the rebound to give the Raiders a 1-0 lead.

The Lasers leveled the score at 1-1 in the 82nd minute, and neither squad could break the deadlock.

Rivier held the slight advantage on corner kick opportunities, 5-3, and the Raiders outshot the Lasers, 18-10.

The Raiders saw three players tally two shots on goal apiece: Samantha Franks, Bailey Gatchell, and Leah Morrier.

Rivier returns to action on Wednesday against GNAC foe Saint Joseph’s (Me.) at Joanne Merrill Field at 4 p.m.

WOMEN’S VOLLEYBALL

RIVIER 3, MITCHELL 0

The Rivier women’s volleyball team defeated Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) foe Mitchell in straight sets at the Muldoon Center.

With the win, the Raiders improved to 5-7 (1-0 GNAC), while the Mariners fell to 5-5 (1-3 GNAC).

Rivier began the match on 4-0 run, capped by a kill from sophomore Savannah Dunne. The Raiders extended their lead to six before Mitchell found its stride, eventually taking a 12-10 lead, which forced Rivier into a timeout

The Raiders quickly bounced back, earning four consecutive points with senior Callie Nanos behind the service line.

A service ace from senior Kaitlyn Miller forced the Mariners into their final timeout of the set, which sparked a late rally for Mitchell and bring the match level, 23-23. A pair of kills from Dunne and junior Sam Driend capped off the frame, giving Rivier a 1-0 lead.

The Raiders continued to have success throughout the second set

A little over halfway through the frame, Rivier went on a 7-0 run that began with a kill from senior Ali Rivera and concluded with an ace from Miller

Mitchell claimed two points at the end, but sophomore Lily Seibel sent home the set point, ending the set 25-11 in favor of the Raiders.

Both squads traded chances to begin the third set. Rivier held a slight advantage until a kill by Nanos sparked 7-2 run which included consecutive kills from Rivera.

The Mariners attempted a late comeback that was halted by first-year Fiona Rexford and Driend, leading to the Raiders sealing the match, 25-18

As a team, Rivier out hit Mitchell .350-.067 and led the match in the kills battle (37-26), assists (35-24), digs (37-33), aces (10-5), and blocks (5-0)

The Raiders had a lot of success offensively, with Rivera leading the team with 10 kills on a .400 clip.

Dunne contributed six kills along with classmate Lydia Brakefield, followed by Driend with five. Seibel led the team in assists with 29, adding three kills and five digs. Defensively, Driend totaled 11 digs for a team-high, with Dunne adding a solo block.

The Raiders return to the court for a non-conference showdown with UMass Boston on Wednesdayat the Muldoon Center at 7 p.m.

FIELD HOCKEY

RIVIER 7, ALBERTUS MAGNUS 0

Brianna Spinelli led Rivier with three goals, while Reilly Swislosky had two goals and Kelsey Bain an assist and a goal. Senior goalie Lily Gifford had three saves for the shutout as the Raiders got their first win (1-1 GNAC, 1-6 overall).

Rivier will host Regis at 7 p.m. on Wednesday at Joanne Merrill Field in a GNAC matchup.

(Telegraph Staff Writer Tom King contributed to this report)