Rivier Rallies Past Mitchell in Men's Lacrosse

PAWCATUCK, Conn. – The Mitchell College men's lacrosse team dropped a 9-4 decision to Rivier University in non-conference action on a snowy Saturday night at Stonington High School's Donald E. Palmer Field.

Cody Lynch notched a hat trick for the Raiders (7-2 overall) and scooped up a game-high 14 ground balls. Six other players recorded goals on the night for Rivier, which outshot Mitchell 32-30 in addition to going 2-for-2 with a man advantage.

The first quarter was nearly scoreless before Mitchell's Will Ryan-Johnson broke through with the game's first goal with 26 seconds to play. He scooped up a Rivier turnover near midfield and streaked toward the crease to net his first goal of the season.

Five minutes into the second quarter, the Mariners went up 2-0 behind a score by Tyler Desances off a feed from McCarthy Brodaski. Mitchell looked to be in control, but a minute later William Ryan tallied for the Raiders off an assist from Tyler Tambouris.

Rivier seized the momentum later in the second period when Rob Auer scored to tie the game in a flag down situation. With the man advantage on the ensuing restart, Lynch won the face-off and later scored off a pass by Joe Kelland. Lynch added his second tally minutes later to give the Raiders a 4-2 lead heading into the intermission.

Rivier took control in the third period, outscoring the Mariners 3-0 behind goals by Max Tucci, Kevin Dembkoski and Lynch. Lynch's third goal came directly after winning the face-off as he quickly marched up the field for the unassisted marker.

The Raiders converted another man-up opportunity early in the fourth quarter to take their largest lead at 8-2. After being silenced on the offensive end for nearly 35 minutes, the Mariners cut into the deficit behind back-to-back goals by Dan DiGioia and Tyler Kradas, but it wasn't nearly enough. Tambouris scored with under two minutes remaining to seal the win for Rivier.

Clark Plummer was solid in goal for the Raiders and finished with 11 saves. Mitchell goalie JD LeMay made eight stops between the pipes.

Rivier held a 38-24 edge in ground balls thanks to the big effort by Lynch, who won 14 of 16 face-offs in the contest. The Raiders also did well to kill off four penalties to keep the Mariners scoreless in extra-man chances.

Mitchell will next host Albertus Magnus College on Wednesday, April 1 at 4 p.m. Rivier returns to action at home against Anna Maria College on Tuesday, March 31 at 7 p.m.