MSOC: Lasell nips Rivier in OT; Lasers clinch first playoff berth since 2015

NASHUA, N.H. – Sophomore Chandler Ray (Stonington, Conn.) scored the game-winning goal five minutes into overtime Saturday afternoon as Lasell University pulled out a 3-2 victory over Rivier University in a key Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) men's soccer game at Joanne Merrill Field.

Lasell captured its fifth consecutive victory (by a total of six goals), including three in overtime. The Lasers are now 6-13 overall and 5-5 in the GNAC, the most conference wins in a season since 2014 and clinched its first GNAC playoff berth since 2015. Upset-minded Rivier is now 1-16-1 overall and 0-10 in the GNAC.

Ray, who has played just six games this season due to injury, recorded his first goal of the season with the game-winner, assisted by junior Simon Nigro (Simsbury, Conn.).

Rivier was the first team on the scoreboard when freshman Anthony Zucco (North Andover, Mass.) scored an unassisted goal in the 21st minute. Lasell answered just three minutes later when sophomore Edson DaSilva (Hingham, Mass.) scored his third of the season, assisted by sophomore Kyle Stewart (Webster, Mass.), and the teams were deadlocked at 1-1 at the half.

Sophomore Jake Ouellette (East Granby, Conn.) put the Lasers in front in the 63rd minute with his second of the season, also assisted by Steward, but freshman Kelvin Cortez (Meriden, Conn.) answered for Rivier a little more than three minutes later to tie the score and force the overtime.

Lasell finished with an 11-9 advantage in shots, and each team had six corner kicks. Senior goalie Jackson Burhans (Berlin, N.Y.) earned the victory for Lasell with two saves in 75 minutes of play off the Laser bench.

Both teams wrap up the regular season at 7 p.m. on Wednesday, October 30, as Lasell travels to Norwich University (12-3-1, 7-2-1 GNAC) and Rivier hosts Suffolk University.

-- 30 --