Game Recap: Rhodes vs. Rivier University
The Rhodes College men's lacrosse team opened NCAA Tournament play with a dominant 16-8 victory over Rivier University on Wednesday afternoon at Joanne Merrill Field in Nashua, New Hampshire. With the win, the Lynx improve to 13-6 on the season and advance to the second round of the NCAA Tournament, where they will face top-ranked Tufts.
Rhodes controlled the game offensively from the opening minutes, using a balanced scoring attack and a massive second quarter to create separation. After Rivier tied the contest at 2-2 midway through the first period, the Lynx answered with an 8-3 run stretching into halftime and never surrendered control.
Key Performances
Andrew Murphy led the Lynx offense with four goals and one assist, consistently breaking through the Rivier defense and delivering in key moments throughout the afternoon.
Gavin Nagle added three goals and three assists, including a pair of man-up goals and a short-handed score.
John Mori recorded two goals and one assist, while
Griffin Galloway and
Charlie Carmouche each finished with two goals apiece.
Wyatt Bounds contributed one goal and three assists in a strong all-around offensive performance, while
Lucas Pagliarulo and
Nate Simon also scored for Rhodes.
Game Highlights
Rhodes wasted no time taking control, scoring twice in the opening minute behind goals from
John Mori and
Lucas Pagliarulo. Rivier answered to even the game at 2-2, but
Gavin Nagle gave the Lynx the lead for good late in the first quarter.
The momentum swung fully in Rhodes' favor during the second quarter as the Lynx erupted for seven goals in the frame. Murphy scored twice during the stretch, while Nagle added a short-handed goal and Carmouche, Bounds, and Simon all helped extend the lead to 10-5 at halftime.
Rhodes continued to apply pressure in the second half, pushing the advantage to as many as eight goals after scores from Galloway and Carmouche in the third quarter. Murphy closed the scoring for the Lynx with his fourth goal midway through the fourth quarter to seal the NCAA Tournament victory.
Up Next: Rhodes vs. No. 1 Tufts University
With the win, Rhodes advances to the second round of the NCAA Tournament and will travel to face No. 1 Tufts on Saturday at 3:30PM CT in Medford, Massachusetts. The matchup will mark one of the toughest tests of the season as the Lynx look to continue their postseason run against the nation's top-ranked program.
