MLX: Lasell clinches GNAC regular season crown with win over Rivier

NEWTON, Mass. – The Lasell University men's lacrosse team wrapped up the Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) regular season crown Saturday afternoon with a 19-8 victory over Rivier University at Grellier Field.

The Lasers finish the regular season with a five-game winning streak, an 8-2 overall record and a perfect 6-0 mark in GNAC play, clinching the top seed in the upcoming GNAC Tournament. Rivier drops to 2-4 overall and 2-4 in league play, with one game remaining next Wednesday at Emmanuel College at 7 p.m.

Lasell dominated play in the first half, scoring all four goals in the first quarter and the first five in the second quarter before Rivier got on the scoreboard. The Lasers went on to lead 12-3 at halftime and 16-7 after three quarters before coasting to the victory.

Junior Bash Cunningham (Norwalk, Conn.) was the high scorer for Lasell with five goals and one assist, while classmate James Anderson (Medway, Mass.) added four goals and one assist. Nine different Lasers got into the scoring column, including two goals apiece from senior Josif Giogas (Burlington, Mass.) and sophomore Nate Taggart (Scarborough, Maine) and the first goal of the season from sophomore defenseman Magnus Leonard (Marshfield, Mass.).

Freshman Michael Ference (Salem, N.H.) led the visitors with three goals and two assists, and classmates Colby Mercier (Boscawen, N.H.) and Connor Eck (Franklin, Mass.) tallied two goals each.

Junior goalie Alex Beauchemin (Westfield, Mass.) continued his outstanding play for Lasell, making 15 saves on 23 shots. Freshman Sawyer Gagnon (Gorham, Maine) made 11 saves in the first three quarters for Rivier, and senior Ben Fitzpatrick (Stoneham, Mass.) made one fourth-quarter stop.

The Lasers will host a GNAC Tournament quarterfinal game next Saturday, May 1, at Grellier Field at 1 p.m. against an opponent to be determined. The full tournament pairings will be announced on Thursday, April 29.

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