Nashua, N.H. --  Visiting Mount Ida College scored three goals in the fourth quarter to come from behind and defeat Rivier University 9-8 in the opening game of Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) men's lacrosse play on Saturday afternoon. 

The Mustangs snapped Rivier's five-game win streak to open the season, while evening their own record at 1-1 (1-0 GNAC). 

Rivier held an 8-6 advantage heading to the fourth quarter, but Mount Ida shut them out in the final frame and got goals by Chad Coehlo (Salem, Mass.), Wyatt Sullivan (Arlington, Mass.), and Shaun Royce (South Windsor, Mass.). Mount Ida took the lead at the 3:18 mark and was able to hold on for the win. 

Rivier broke the ice at the 12:46 mark of the first period with a Rob Auer (Salem, N.H.) goal off of a great pass from Tyler Tambouris (Hooksett, N.H.). Mount Ida responded with a man-up goal from Sullivan, which was set up by Chris Kidger (Groton, Mass.). 

Rivier then began a 4-1 run beginning at the 13:09 mark in the 2^nd quarter. Two man-up goals, one by Cody Lynch (Salem, N.H.) and the other by Tambouris, and two goals from Kyle Graham (Londonderry, N.H.) gave the Raiders a 5-2 lead. 

Mount Ida would respond with a goal by Joe Galante (Framingham, Mass.) and two goals by Mike Markevich (Westminster, Mass.), which tied the game up at 5-5 with only two minutes left in the half. 

Unfortunately for the Mustangs, Cody Lynch (Salem, N.H.) and the Raiders scored just 19 seconds later to take the 6-5 lead into halftime. 

The 3^rd quarter began with a man-up goal from Tambouris, assisted by Joe Kelland (Watertown, Mass.) at the 14:29 mark, pushing the host's lead to 7-5. Exactly two minutes later, Kidger cut the Raider lead to just one with a strike set up from Royce. The Raiders however, would respond with another Tambouris strike, this one a man-up goal, from another pass by Kelland, which gave the Raiders a two goal cushion at the 8:01 mark, which they carried into the final quarter. 

Mount Ida got two goals apiece from Markevich and Sullivan, while Royce and Lucas Stralka (E. Greenwich, R.I.) each recorded two assists on the afternoon.   

Sophomore Tyler McElreath (Upton, Mass.) earned his first win of the year by making seven saves on nine shots in the second half. 

Rivier had good performances turned in by Lynch and Graham, who each scored two goals, while Tambouris led the Raiders with 3 goals and 1 assist.  Kelland did not record a goal in this game, but was able to establish his presence on offense with 3 key assists.  

The Mustangs will next play on the road against Salem State on March 18^th at 4:00 pm in a non-conference matchup. 

Rivier will next play host to Regis on March 18^th at 5:00 pm in another non-conference affair.