NASHUA, N.H. – Four years together for Whittier Tech lacrosse, and neither Brogan Arivella nor Conor Walsh reached the Round of 32 in the MIAA state tournament.
“We played play-in games. That was about it,” said Arivella.
College has changed all that … at warp speed.
Now freshmen at Rivier University, Walsh and Arivella are part of a hefty local contingent that has powered the Raiders to a spotless 18-0 campaign and a spot in the NCAA Division 3 Championships. Wednesday at 4 p.m., Rivier hosts Rhodes College of Tennessee in their NCAA opener.
“We watched the livestream of the bracket being announced by the NCAA on Sunday night,” said Arivella, a defender who has appeared in 12 of 18 games this year.
“Until then, I had never even heard of Rhodes College,” laughed Amesbury’s Walsh, who recently was named the Great North Atlantic Conference Rookie of the Year.
“We’re just doing our due diligence now on them, watching film, going over every inch of their game.”
For the two teammates-turned-roommates, it’s been an amazing freshman ride to this point.
“Being in the NCAA tournament is pretty wild,” said Arivella, a nursing major. “Rivier swept the conference last year as well, and that was a big part of the decision for me to come here — coming in and winning right away. I think I expected to load up and make a run at the conference, but going undefeated like this is just wild.”
Walsh has been a huge part of the success. Scoring 35 goals with 28 assists, he was named GNAC Rookie of the Week three times, GNAC third-team all-conference and to the All-Tournament team this past weekend.
“I just try to do my part and help us win in any way possible,” said Walsh. “The pace of play is completely different in college. It’s a lot more physical and faster, guys whipping the ball around.
“A lot of the upper classmen have taken me under their wing and helped me out. It’s awesome, something to dream of. We’re just trying to keep the run going.”
A win on Wednesday will yield a trip to Round 2 Saturday at Tufts.