Lasell Men’s Soccer edges Rivier in GNAC thriller

NEWTON, Mass. – Senior Jordan Bowman (Haverhill, Mass.) bent the game-winner into the upper left corner of the net with less than two minutes to play Wednesday afternoon as Lasell College defeated Rivier University, 3-2, in Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) men's soccer action at Taylor Field.

Lasell played one of its best offensive games of the season, generating 18 total shots, 10 on goal. It started with senior Connor Wall (East Hampton, Conn.), who buried a laser in the left side of the net just five minutes into the game.

Rivier took advantage of a missed penalty kick by Lasell, and junior Ramon Bonafante (Lowell, Mass.) finished off a corner kick with a header that barely snuck inside the right post, past sophomore keeper Joey Rosa (Stonington, Conn.) to even the score.

A Rivier player was sent off on a red card late in the first half, and the Lasers used their man advantage to the best on the offensive end with sophomore Simon Nigro (Simsbury, Conn.) chipping a shot over Rivier's Nicholas Hasenfus to grab the lead back for the Lasers.

Bonafante kept the Raiders in the game, as he was able to sneak another shot past Rosa to tie the game with around 20 minutes to play.

The game looked as if it were going to go into overtime after a breakaway started by Nigro was halted by Hasenfus, who made a spectacular sliding save with five minutes to play.

Then, it was Bowman's time to play hero. From a few yards behind the right side of the box, he took a perfect pass from junior David Perry (Canton, Mass.) and netted the game-winner, which brings the Lasers' record to 4-10-2 on the season (3-5-2 in the GNAC). Rivier fell to 0-13-3 and 0-9-1.

The Lasers return to action on Saturday when they travel to Saint Joseph's (Maine) to face off with the Monks, kickoff time is set for 3:00. Rivier will return home on Saturday for a matchup with Albertus Magnus.

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