NASHUA — The Rivier University men’s lacrosse team made history on Saturday, winning the school’s first ever Great Northeast Athletic Conference lax crown, 9-7, over Lasell University.

The Raiders prevailed in a game that had three delays totaling over 90 minutes — two lightning delays and one for a medical emergency on the Lasell sideline.

The Raiders never trailed, although the game was tied at 6 with 3:16 left in the third period. But Michael Zapataka’s unassisted goal with 57 seconds left in the third quarter put Rivier ahead to stay, 7-6. And, with the Raiders up 8-7, Coby Mercier gave Riv a two-goal cushion, 9-7, with 2:54 to go.

Connor Eck led Riv with three goals, while Sawyer Hall had a pair and Michael Ference added one. Bishop Guertin alum Chris Heitmiller of Nashua led the Raiders with a goal and five assists for six points.

The Game MVP went to goalie Sawyer Gagnon, who had an amazing 13 saves. Zapatka was named Tourney MVP. Lasell was led by Jack Condon’s three goals.

MEDICAL EMERGENCY

The medical emergency took place after a Lasell timeout with just under three minutes remaining and an ambulance was summoned. It was believed to be a Lasell player that was taken to a Nashua hospital, but both Rivier and Lasell officials would not give out any information except to say it was a medical emergency. A Lasell official did confirm it was someone affiliated with the school.

RAIDERS WERE READY

They had already made history, but going into Saturday’s title game, the Raiders still had more to embrace.

Saturday’s one of the biggest lacrosse games – perhaps the biggest – ever played in the city of Nashua. There have bees some girls lacrosse championship games at Stellos Stadium, and most of Bishop Guertin’s titles both boys and girls have been at out-of-town neutral sites. The one Nashua High boys lacrosse title was won at Pinkerton in Derry.

But today the local lacrosse community was on hand, fans lined up along the fence with full stands behind – Rivier postseason lacrosse games are always well attended.

“It means the world,” Raider leader Michael Ference said, his team No. 1 in the North Division while Lasell is ranked No. 1 in the South, so it’s the two best teams going at it. The winner gets an automatic bid to the Division III NCAA Tournament.

That’s because the Raiders have had postseason frustration the last couple of years, but finally got over the semifinal hurdle this past Tuesday, 10-9 over Saint Joseph’s (Conn.). Lasell eliminated Emmanuel 14-8 in their semi.

It’s validation for all the work Jay DeLanoy has put in as the head coach of the program the last 14 seasons, as he has taken the program to a new level from its early days when coaches would be recruiting players from the cafeteria on campus.

“That’s what they fight for, to stay together, be together, and keep fighting,” DeLanoy said.

n the victory over USJ which avenged a 2023 quarterfinal loss to the Blue Jays, Rivier was led by four-point outings from senior Michael Zapatka and graduate student Coby Mercier. Senior Chris Heitmiller tacked on a hat trick while grad Connor Eck posted a two-goal, one-assist performance. On the defensive end, senior Parker Williams caused three of the 17 Saint Joseph turnovers. Rivier sophomore faceoff specialist Noah Zemen went 8-of-14 from the X, securing a team-high seven ground balls, to help the Raiders control possession throughout the contest.

Rivier remains second in the nation in scoring defense, allowing just 6.38 goals per game. The defensive zone is anchored by graduate goalkeeper Sawyer Gagnon, who holds a 7.02 goals-against average, the second-best mark in the NCAA Division III ranks, as well as a .615 save percentage, good for seventh best in the country.

Lasell advanced to the championship for the first time since the 2022 season in which it lost to Norwich by a final score of 11-8. The Lasers were victorious in the title game in the prior season, upending the Cadets by a 15-7 final, to advance to the NCAA Tournament for the second time in program history.

The Lasers are led offensively by first-year Jack Condon, who registered 85 points thanks to a league-leading 63 goals scored. Classmate Bubba Baumeister led the team on the defensive end with 36 caused turnovers while securing 31 ground balls. In the faceoff spot, senior Matthew Carbone has gone 229-for-352 with 142 ground balls to this point in the campaign. In goal, senior Michael Catalano has made 16 starts, posting a 12-4 record, with a save percentage of .547 and a goals-against average of 9.29.

Rivier and Lasell faced off in a non-conference regular season game back on March 1, with the Raiders claiming their first victory over the Lasers in program history with an 11-7 triumph on the road.

At least one coach in the conference thinks this is the time.

“It’s Riv,” Saint Joe’s coach Andrew Fink said. “They’re destined (to win). It’s their year. They haven’t won a championship … It’s kind of their time.”

And, after Saturday’s result, he was proven to be right.