STANDISH, Maine – Top-seeded Saint Joseph's College (15-3) opened the postseason in dominant fashion, defeating #8 Rivier University (8-10), 16-3, in a Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) women's lacrosse quarterfinal at the SJC Athletics Complex on Saturday afternoon.

PLAYOFF IMPLICATIONS:

With the victory, the Monks advance to the GNAC Semifinal round for the fifth consecutive season and will host #5 Colby-Sawyer College on Tuesday at 5:00 PM. Colby-Sawyer upset #4 Lasell University, 12-8, in other quarterfinal action earlier this afternoon.

For Rivier, the loss brings an end to the 2026 season.

HOW IT HAPPENED:

Saint Joseph's set the tone early, scoring six times in the opening quarter to build a 6-0 lead. Senior Celia Melanson (Waterford, Maine) recorded a natural hat trick in the first 3:47 of the contest, while junior Taylor Dumond (Minisink, N.Y.) added a pair of goals during the early surge.

The Monks extended their lead to 10-0 by halftime behind goals from Dumond, sophomore Ella Highbarger (Kennebunk, Maine), and senior Sophia Burton (Minisink, N.Y.). Saint Joseph's continued to control play in the third quarter, pushing the margin to 13-0 before Rivier broke through in the fourth.

Saint Joseph's answered any late pressure with three fourth-quarter goals, including tallies from Melanson and Dumond, to close out the 13-goal playoff victory.

STATS OF THE GAME:

Saint Joseph's controlled the game on both ends, holding advantages in shots (36-14), shots on goal (18-5), ground balls (21-10), and draw controls (11-8), while also going 17-for-18 on clears. The Monks forced 27 turnovers and limited Rivier to just five shots on goal in the win.

THE KEEPERS:

Saint Joseph's:

• Julia Price (Jr., Newbury, Mass.) – 45:00, 0 GA, 2 saves
• Alexis Eldridge (Sr., Effingham, N.H.) – 15:00, 3 GA, 1 save

Rivier:

Arrianna Imbriano – 60:00, 16 GA, 7 saves

LEADERS – SAINT JOSEPH'S:

• Ella Highbarger – 5 goals
• Celia Melanson – 4 goals, 2 assists
• Taylor Dumond – 4 goals, 6 draw controls
• Kiley Webber (So., Freeport, Maine) – 1 goal, 1 assist
• Zoey Lailer (So., Limington, Maine) – 1 goal, 2 assists
• Sophia Burton – 1 goal

LEADERS – RIVIER:

• Hayleigh Young – 1 goal, 3 ground balls, 3 caused turnovers
• Kaycie Hudon – 1 goal
• Brooke Carter – 1 goal
• Sofia Cebrero – 1 assist

HISTORICALLY SPEAKING:

With the triumph, Saint Joseph's improves to 15-2 all-time versus Rivier University and has now won seven consecutive meetings with the Raiders.