Rivier's Conor Walsh (10) hopes to celebrate like this again tonight when the Raiders host Norwich in the GNAC Semis at Joanne Merrill Field. (Photo courtesy of Rivier Athletics)

NASHUA – Now the plot thickens for the unbeaten Rivier University men’s lacrosse team..

The Raiders face the first major challenge in their quest to repeat as Great Northeast Athletic Conference champions as tonight at 7:30 the Raiders host will host Norwich in the GNAC semifinals at Joanne Merrill Field. They’re certainly hoping it won’t be the tightrope it was the first time these two teams played this season.

That took place back on April 4, with Conor Walsh forcing a turnover and scoring at 1:47 of sudden death overtime to give the Raiders a dramatic 11-10 win.

Norwich, meanwhile, finished 7-4 in the GNAC, 8-7 overall, had taken a 7-5 second half lead in that contest and it took a goal by Raider sophomore James DelPrete with 3:35 left in regulation to force overtime. Walsh, who just was named GNAC Rookie of the Week, led the Raiders with three goals and an assist in that game while sophomore goalie Jake Lydon had nine saves.

Walsh on the season has 34 goals and 25 assists for 59 points. Aiden Conley has 37 goals with 11 assists for 48 while DelPrete is at 28-16=48.

The Raiders (12-0, 16-0) have enjoyed their first unbeaten regular season in the program’s history. Norwich entered the postseason as the No. 5 seed. The Cadets blew away No. 4 Emmanuel 19-5 in the quarterfinals. Rivier advanced with a 15-4 quarterfinal win here this past Saturday over Regis. Jake Marcotte leads Norwich in scoring with 37 goals and 26 assists. He had two in the Rivier game, while the Cadets were led then by Drew Fleury’s four goal. Fleury led Norwich in goals with 40, and had 19 assists. He’ll certainly be a target of the Raider defense. Norwich was the only team to score double digits on the Raiders, whose only other very tight game was a 10-9 win over Saint Joseph’s (Conn.), also in overtime on April 11. The Blue Jays (11-1, 15-2) are the No. 2 seed and will play No. 6 Saint Joseph’s of Maine tonight at 6 in the other semi.

Last year the Raiders beat Lasell 9-7 in the GNAC title game at Merrill Field and went on to host its first ever NCAA Tournament game, beating Maine Maritime before falling in the next round.

Can they have the same fun in early May this time? Tonight will be the first major hurdle.