Sofia Cebrero had a hat trick in Rivier's win over Fitchburg State on Wednesday at Merrill Field. (Photo courtesy of Rivier Athletics)

NASHUA – The Rivier women’s lacrosse team earned a commanding 9-4 victory over Fitchburg State in non-conference action Wednesday afternoon at Joanne Merrill Field.

With the win, the Raiders improved to 2-4 on the season, while the Falcons dropped to 2-2.

HOW IT HAPPENED

Rivier jumped out fast with goals from sophomore Keegan McGaheran and junior Sofia Cebrero to take a 2-0 lead in the opening minutes.

After Fitchburg State cut it to 2-1, the Raiders responded with three straight goals, including two from Cebrero and one from first-year Olivia Wheeler, to lead 5-2 after the first quarter.

The Falcons opened the second quarter scoring to make it 5-3, but Wheeler answered to keep Rivier in control with a 6-3 halftime advantage.

Sophomore Ashlynn Ledoux took over in the third quarter, scoring twice to extend the lead to 8-4 as the Raiders continued to dominate possession.

Rivier’s defense locked in during the fourth, and Wheeler capped off the win with a free-position goal to complete her hat trick and seal the 9-4 victory.

BOX SCORE BREAKDOWN

Cebrero and Wheeler led the offense with three goals each, combining for six of Rivier’s nine goals.

Ledoux added two goals, while McGaheran contributed a goal, her first of the season, an assist, and a team-high five ground balls.

Rivier controlled the pace with a 28-19 shot advantage and held a 19-14 edge in ground balls.

The Raiders were efficient on clears (16-for-21) and limited Fitchburg State to just two goals over the final three quarters.

First-year Arrianna Imbriano made eight saves in goal to earn the win.

UP NEXT

The Raiders head to Grant Field to take on the Lasers of Lasell University on Saturday. Opening draw is scheduled for 3:30 p.m.

MEN’S LACROSSE

RIVIER 25, COLBY SAWYER 0

The Rivier men’s lacrosse team bested Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) opponent Colby-Sawyer at the Sally Shaw Veitch Track and Field.

With the win, the Raiders improved to 6-0 (2-0 GNAC), while the Chargers fell to 0-2 (0-2 GNAC).

Rivier raced out to a 6-0 lead in the opening five minutes, highlighted by first-year Conor Walsh’s goal off a feed from junior Cole Ronalter and a pair from sophomore Mason Schultz. Sophomore Tyler Zehr extended the advantage with help from senior Sean Callinan before Schultz completed his hat trick and added a fourth soon after.

Following a brief scoreless stretch, sophomore Aiden Conley and Schultz struck again to make it 8-0. First-year Andrew Nee added an unassisted tally, Zehr netted his second, and Ronalter pushed the lead to 11-0 before first-year Cooper Goodman closed the quarter with his first collegiate goal.

Sophomore Liam Conley opened the second-quarter scoring, followed by goals from Schultz and first-year Dylan Magazzu, who netted his first collegiate score. Goodman and Nee each added their second goals of the game to push the lead to 17-0 midway through the frame. Late in the half, senior Patrick Furtado recorded his first collegiate goals with first-year Henri Brochu scoring in between, and Goodman capped the scoring with a man-down goal in the final 10 seconds to complete his hat trick.

Coming out of halftime, first-year Mario Simeone accounted for all three third-quarter goals, opening the scoring at the 14:38 mark. Magazzu capped the game at 12:51 of the fourth quarter, finishing off a feed from Goodman to complete the victory.

Schultz led the team with seven points followed by Goodman and Walsh with five points each….Faceoff specialists senior Owen McDuffie and junior Noah Zeman logged nine and eight ground balls respectively…Junior Charles Taylor V and Simeone led the team with two caused turnovers.

Goalkeepers sophomore Jake Lydon, junior Lucas Fitts, and sophomore Will Corton each saw time in between the pipes, earning a combined shutout.

The Raiders return to the field Saturday for a GNAC matchup with Albertus Magnus. The Faceoff Against Cancer game begins at noon at Joanne Merrill Field.

BASEBALL

ANNA MARIA 11, RIVIER 1

NORTHBOROUGH, Mass. – The Rivier baseball team fell in seven innings to Anna Maria in non-conference action at the New England Baseball Complex in Northborough, Mass.

With the result, the Raiders dropped to 3-7, while the AMCATs improved to 8-5.

After a scoreless opening frame, the AMCATS broke through with two runs on a five-hit second inning. Anna Maria then extended the lead by a pair in the fifth inning, keeping Rivier scoreless.

The Raiders got one back in the sixth as senior Dylan Aliberti and sophomore Brady Balint drew back-to-back walks, followed by a single from first-year Kian Littlefield to load the bases. First-year Austin Suchecki was then hit by a pitch to bring Aliberti home, but the AMCATS turned a double play to limit the damage to one run, 4-1.

Anna Maria broke it open in the seventh with a scoring surge, pushing the lead to 11-1.

Senior Owen Medlock and first-year Ian McDonald each recorded a stolen base.

Junior Sean Kulhoff made the start on the mound, tossing 4.2 innings, striking out two batters.

The Raiders return to action Saturday opening Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) play with a doubleheader at Saint Joseph (Conn.). First pitch is set for 12 p.m., with game two scheduled for 2:30 p.m.