Former Nashua North standout David Pereira had a big day for the Rivier men's soccer team on Saturday. (Photo courtesy of Rivier Athletics)

NASHUA – With the 2-0 shutout victory over Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) foe Elms, the Rivier men’s soccer team tied the program record for most conference wins in season with the 2000 team.

With the win, the Raiders improved to 7-4-6 (7-2-2 GNAC), while the Blazers fell to 6-11-1 (2-8-1 GNAC).

HOW IT HAPPENED

Elms opened the contest applying heavy offensive pressure, keeping Rivier in their own defensive end. The Raiders broke through in the 14th minute as first-year David Pereira crossed the ball to the far post for classmate Tanner Keenan to head in the game’s first tally.

Rivier continued to apply pressure towards the Blazers’ back line, totaling 14 shots, but were unable to convert heading into the break. The Raiders carried their momentum into the second half, recording the first two shots coming out of the break.

Pereira logged his third point of the evening, finding the back of the net of a pass from sophomore Matthews Ferreira.

BOX SCORE BREAKDOWN

As a team, the Raiders outshot Elms 22-5…The Blazers held the slight edge in corners, 3-2, while junior goalkeeper Logan Clough recorded one save in the shutout.

UP NEXT

The Raiders return to the field Wednesday to face off against Colby-Sawyer for a Granite State conference contest to conclude the regular season. Kick-off is scheduled for 7 p.m.

WOMEN’S SOCCER

RIVIER 2, NORWICH 0

The Rivier women’s soccer team defeated Norwich in Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) play at Joanne Merrill Field in the team’s annual Breast Cancer Awareness Game.

With the result, the Raiders improved to 11-4-2 (10-1-1 GNAC), while the Cadets dropped to 6-6-4 (4-5-3 GNAC). With their 10th conference victory, the 2025 women’s soccer team set a new program record for the most conference wins in a season.

The first half was a 0-0 defensive battle. But sophomore Leah Morrier broke through for the Raiders six minutes into the second half off a feed from graduate student Samantha Franks.

In the 77th minute, sophomore Nadia Laxa connected with first-year Bianca Casna off a corner kick to seal the game for the Raiders.

The Raiders outshot the Cadets 16-9, with nine shots on goal, while Rivier held an 11-8 advantage in corner kicks.

Senior Bri Nugent recorded her second straight shutout and third of the season, making six saves.

The Raiders return to action on Tuesday at Daly Field to face GNAC foe Simmons in their final regular-season game. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m.

FIELD HOCKEY

RIVIER 10 ELMS 0

The Rivier field hockey team secured a playoff spot at Joanne Merrill Field with a record-tying 10-0 victory over Elms in Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) play. This win marks the Raiders’ longest winning streak of the season.

The Raiders 10-0 win tied the program record for the most goals scored in a game and largest margin of victory dating back to 2009.

With the win, Rivier improved to 5-12 (3-7 GNAC), while the Blazers fell to 0-16 (0-10 GNAC).

Senior Reilly Swislosky opened the scoring on Senior Day with a goal in the sixth minute. Just before the end of the first quarter, first-year Mary Kelley converted a penalty stroke to double the Raiders’ lead to 2-0.

In the 18th minute, Swislosky netted her second goal of the game off a set penalty corner play from sophomore Kelsey Bain, extending the Raiders’ lead to 3-0.

Junior Brianna Spinelli found the back of the net in the 25th minute to bring the score to 4-0 going into the break. Spinelli recorded her second tally of the contest just 20 seconds into the third quarter.

Junior Sophia Quinlan recorded her first goal of her collegiate career to begin a scoring spree for Rivier. Spinelli recorded contributed three more points in the opening half of the third quarter, securing her hat-trick in the 35th minute, and fed first-year Kallie Frechette to increase the Raiders’ lead to eight.

Rivier found twine twice in the fourth quarter as Kelley gave the Raiders a 9-0 advantage, and Bain concluded the scoring in the 56th minute.

As a team, the Raiders outshot the Blazers 2-0 and held an 11-0 advantage in penalty corner opportunities. Senior goalkeeper Lily Gifford and first-year Olivia Faro split time to earn the combined shutout

The Raiders return to action on Tuesday for their final regular-season game, hosting non-conference opponent Mount Holyoke at Joanne Merrill Field at 6 p.m.

WOMEN’S VOLLEYBALL

RIVIER 3, SAINT JOE’S (Conn.) 0

The Rivier women’s volleyball team defeated Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) opponent Saint Joseph (Conn.) (USJ) in straight-sets at the James A. Calhoun Gymnasium in West Hartford.

With the win, the Raiders jumped to 14-12 (8-2 GNAC), while the Blue Jays dropped to 4-19 (2-6 GNAC).

Rivier opened the match strong with a 7-2 start, highlighted by kills from senior Callie Nanos and sophomore Savannah Dunne, along with aces from sophomore Lily Seibel and junior Sam Driend.

USJ rallied midway through the set with a 7-0 run to take a 14-12 lead

The two sides traded points late before Seibel came up with back-to-back kills to fuel a 5-0 run to retake the lead, 23-21. But Driend sealed the opener with two kills for the 1-0 match lead.

The Raiders carried their momentum into the second set, getting out to a 4-0 lead to begin the frame. The Blue Jays responded with a 4-0 run of their own to level the set. Raider sophomore Lydia Brakefield contributed two kills to spark the offense and retake the lead, 7-6

Senior Ali Rivera and Driend combined for six kills down the stretch and propelled the Raiders to a 25-15 set win.

Saint Joseph took an early 5-2 lead to begin the third set, but an 8-0 run that included four service aces from Seibel, put Rivier out in front 12-6

The Blue Jays chipped away at Rivier’s lead, but were unable to close the gap as the Raiders took the contest, 25-19.

Rivera paced the offense with nine kills and a .227 hitting percentage

Driend followed closely behind with eight kills, and Dunne and Nanos each recorded six.

Seibel contributed a double-double with 27 assists and 10 digs, adding six service aces. Defensively, senior Kaitlyn Miller posted a game-high 15 assists.

The Raiders return to the court Thursday for a top five GNAC matchup with Emmanuel (Mass.). First serve is scheduled for 7 p.m. at the Jean Yawkey Center in Boston.