Rivier's Conor Walsh (10) was the hero Saturday with a sudden death OT goal as the Raiders stayed unbeaten at Merrill Field. (Courtesy photo by Collin Traverse/Rivier Athletics)

NASHUA – Just 1:47 into overtime, first-year Conor Walsh fired home the game-winning goal to take down Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) foe Norwich 11-10 Saturday afternoon at Joanne Merrill Field.

With the win, the Raiders improved to 11-0 (7-0 GNAC), while the Cadets fell to 5-6 (4-3 GNAC).

HOW IT HAPPENED

Senior Owen McDuffie opened the scoring by controlling the faceoff and finding the back of the net just six seconds into the game, giving Rivier a 1-0 lead. Norwich responded with a pair of goals after nearly eight minutes of scoreless play, forcing the Raiders into their first comeback situation since the 5:51 mark of the first quarter against Dean (3/7). Rivier tied the contest at 2-2 when sophomore Cole Renaltor found Walsh at 2:46. Drew Fleury then recorded his second goal of the game to put the Cadets back in front, 3-2.

Norwich extended its lead to two at the 4:47 mark of the second quarter. Walsh answered with his second goal of the game, an unassisted tally that brought the Raiders within one. Sophomores James DelPrete and Aiden Conley connected to tie the game, 4-4, at 6:55. The duo struck again with 1:45 remaining in the first half, giving Rivier the lead heading into the break.

The Cadets opened the second half with three goals over nearly a five-minute span to retake the lead, 7-5. First-years Andrew Nee and Henri Brochu connected to make it a one-goal game, but Norwich added two more goals down the stretch to take a 9-6 lead into the fourth quarter.

The Raiders chipped away at their deficit to open the fourth quarter. Walsh found sophomore Mason Schultz at 13:21 to make it a two-goal game. Nee then scored an unassisted goal at 8:36 to pull Rivier within one. With 6:07 remaining, Nee connected with Schultz once again to tie the game at 9-9. Norwich reclaimed the lead with 4:02 left in the frame, but DelPrete answered just 27 seconds later at 3:35. Both teams had opportunities down the stretch to secure the win, but neither was able to convert, sending the game to overtime.

Just 1:47 into overtime, Walsh forced a turnover in the attacking zone and fired home the game-winning goal to keep Rivier’s unbeaten streak alive and secure an 11-10 victory.

BOX SCORE BREAKDOWN

Walsh paced the offense with three goals and an assist.

Sophomore goalkeeper Jake Lydon made nine saves in the crease for the Raiders…McDuffie recorded a game-high 12 ground balls…First-year Colin Foley, first-year Payton Kender,and Schultz each caused two turnovers.

UP NEXT

The Raiders return to action Wednesday, April 8 for a road matchup with GNAC and intrastate foe New England Col. The opening faceoff is set for 7 p.m. at Don Melander Field.

WOMEN’S LACROSSE

RVIER 15, REGIS 4

The Rivier women’s lacrosse team defeated Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) opponent Regis (Mass.) at Joanne Merrill Field as the Raiders improved to 6-6 (4-4 GNAC), while the Pride fell to 2-7 (2-6 GNAC).

Rivier got on the board early and often, scoring three goals in the first 1:54 of the contest. Junior Sofia Cebrero found sophomore Ashlynn Ledoux to open the scoring before the roles reversed, as Cebrero netted a pass from Ledoux to take a 2-0 lead. Ledoux made it 3-0 off a feed from first-year Olivia Wheeler to complete the early hat trick. Regis (Mass.) cut its deficit to two at 10:57 with a woman-up goal, but the Raiders responded with one final goal of the first quarter as sophomore Brooke Carter restored the three-goal advantage at 4:25.

Ledoux began the second quarter by completing her hat trick with an unassisted tally at 11:06. First-year Hayleigh Young followed with her first goal of the afternoon, giving Rivier a 6-1 advantage.

The Pride came out strong to begin the second half, netting two goals in the first 2:15 of the third quarter. Sophomore Keegan McGaheran found Ledoux for her fourth goal of the game at 11:53, halting Regis’ momentum. Ledoux stayed hot, scoring again to give the Raiders an 8-3 lead. Wheeler logged her second goal of the game off a feed from first-year Kaycie Hudon on a power play. Regis closed the third quarter with a woman-up goal to trim the deficit to five heading into the final 15 minutes.

Rivier erupted for six goals while holding Regis scoreless in the fourth quarter. Ledoux, Wheeler, and Carter scored back-to-back-to-back goals over a two-minute stretch to open the frame. First-year Chloe Waldron increased the lead to 13-4 with 10:19 remaining. Carter capped the scoring just past the midway point of the quarter, netting two unassisted goals to seal the 15-4 victory.

First-year goalkeeper Arrianna Imbriano stopped five shots in the crease for the Raiders…Ledoux led the team with seven points, a career-high, on six goals, also a career-best, and one assist. Carter and Wheeler followed close behind with four and three points, respectively….Junior Shaelyn Burke led the team in ground balls, scooping six…Young added eight draw controls, a career-high, in addition to her goal.

The Raiders return to the field Wednesday for a GNAC matchup with Saint Joseph’s (Me.). The opening draw is set for 7 p.m. at Joanne Merrill Field.