MLAX: Lasers Fall to Rivier in GNAC Championship

Nashua, NH –In a tightly contested GNAC Championship showdown at Joanne Merrill Field, top-seeded Lasell University came up just short against #1 Rivier, falling 9–7 in a back-and-forth battle that showcased two of the conference's most dynamic teams.

Rivier stormed out to a 3–0 lead in the opening quarter, capitalizing on two goals from Sawyer Hall and another from Michael Ference. Lasell responded in the second quarter with tallies from Nate Campbell and Colin LeBaron, but Rivier answered with two more of their own to take a 5–2 lead into halftime.

Lasell came out firing in the third quarter, scoring four times—highlighted by back-to-back unassisted goals from Jack Condon, who recorded a hat trick on the afternoon. Campbell added his second of the day, and Sam Guilmette also found the back of the net to briefly tie the game at 6–6. However, Rivier's Michael Zapatka snuck in a go-ahead goal just before the end of the frame.

Connor Eck, who led all scorers with a hat trick for Rivier, extended the lead early in the fourth, but Condon struck again to make it a one-goal game with under nine minutes to play. A late insurance goal by Coby Mercier sealed the win for Rivier, who improved to 16–1 on the season and secured the GNAC title.

Lasell, which finishes the season at 14–5, put up 38 shots to Rivier's 23 and won the face-off battle 14–6 behind a dominant showing from Matthew Carbone. Condon led all Lasers with three goals on 12 shots, while Campbell added two goals and Guilmette posted a goal and an assist. Michael Catalano made 7 saves in goal. Freshman defender Bubba Baumeister locked down the defensive end with eight caused turnovers, matching his previously broken caused turnovers in a single game record. 

At the conclusion of the tournament, three Lasers earned GNAC All-Tournament Team honors for their outstanding play: Matthew Carbone, who controlled the X with 14 faceoff wins; Francis Pino, a defensive anchor and key ground ball contributor; and Michael Catalano, who stood tall in net throughout Lasell's postseason run.