Posted: Oct 26, 2013
On a brisk Saturday afternoon the Rivier University Men's Soccer team treated the home crowd to a thrilling 1-0 victory which sent the Raiders into the GNAC Playoffs for the first time in over five years. The afternoon contest marked the final home game for the lone senior on the team Sean Gareau (Hardwick, MA). Gareau played four seasons in Raider blue, two of which he served as the team's captain. He has proven to be a strong leader and solid defender which has helped to turn the program around.
Junior Middie Danny Connelly (Bedford, NH) led the Raiders on offense and displayed what it meant to be a Raider with his strong, heads up effort all day. Connelly notched the lone Rivier goal on the day after winning a one on one battle and putting the ball in the goal just 12:33 into the game. This was Connelly's first goal of the season and it could not have come at a better time for the Raiders.
One goal would prove to be all the Raiders would need to secure the victory as freshman Goalkeeper Gary Archambault (Auburn, NH) was solid in net. Archambault recorded 10 saves in the contest and his 3rd shutout of the year.
Although the Raiders were outshot on the afternoon they were able to score when it mattered most. Suffolk's offense was led by Tyler Parmelee (Colchester, CT), Djibril Niang (Dakar, Senegal), and Alberto Benhamu (Caracas, Venezuela) who combined for 16 shots, 7 of which were on goal.
With the victory the Raiders improved to 3-11-1 overall and 2-6-1 in the Great Northeast Athletic Conference. The Raiders will close out their regular season on Tuesday when they will travel to Husson for a 7:00 PM contest. They will face #1 seeded Lasell in the first round of the playoffs on Sunday November 3.
The loss drops Suffolk to 4-13 overall and 2-7 in conference play. The Rams played their final game of 2013 as Rivier squeezed their way into the playoffs.
(Story courtesy of Rivier University Sports Information)