Men's Lacrosse Drops Road Contest at Rivier

THE BASICS

Salem State, 4 at Rivier, 18

Records: 

Rivier University Raiders (5-0)

Salem State Vikings (3-2)

Location: Nashua, N.H. - Joanne Merrill Field

Date: Tuesday, March 17, 2026

THE LEAD: The Salem State men's lacrosse team kicked off a three-game road trip at Rivier University on Tuesday, but fell to the Raiders, 18-4. 

HOW IT HAPPENED

• After Rivier opened up the scoring at 13:11, Salem responded and evened the contest at one thanks to a Connor Vittands (Gloucester, Mass.) score at 08:11. However, the Raiders tacked on two quick goals nearly five minutes later from Andrew Nee and Mason Schultz at 05:17 and 05:12, respectively, and took a 3-1 lead going into the second. 
• However, in the second, it was all Rivier as the hosts tacked on six goals and pushed their advantage to eight (9-1). Nee highlighted the scoring for Rivier by netting two goals in the frame. The Vikings were able to get one goal back with a little over a minute left until the half (01:17) when Landon Rice (Sturbridge, Mass.) found the back of the net off a nice look from Joseph Turpin (Groveland, Mass.). 
• Coming out of the half, Rivier continued where it left off in the second and found the back of the net six more times, led by three goals from Schultz. Salem would also have a score of its own thanks to James Tatro (Byfield, Mass.), but the Blue and Orange would find themselves down 15-3 heading into the fourth. Throughout the final quarter, the Raiders outscored the Vikings 3-1 and secured an 18-4 win.

 INSIDE THE NUMBERS: 

• Tatro led Salem's offense with two goals on Tuesday. 
• Rice and Vittrands were the Vikings' other goal scorers and have now each scored a goal in every game this season.
• Ryan Cohen (Bedford, Mass.) ended up with the loss after he stopped 13 shots in 60:00 of action.
• The Raiders saw two student-athletes finish with five or more goals, led by Nee with six, followed by Schultz with five.
• Jaack Lydon earned the win for Rivier after stopping seven shots in 49:46. Meanwhile, Lucas Fitts saw playing time in the last 10:14 and ended up with seven saves.
• Rivier held the shots advantage, 46-31.
• Tuesday's contest was the fourth meeting between the two programs, with Rivier leading the series, 3-1. 

UP NEXT:

Salem continues play in the state of New Hampshire when the squad travels to Keene State on Saturday, March 21, at 1:00 p.m.