By RYAN ARENA

Sports Editor

A Matt Graves goal in the second half helped Riverside battle Belle Chasse to a tie in the Rebels’ opening match of the season last Wednesday in Reserve. But Riverside was kept winless on Monday, as it fell 9-0 at Lusher.

Graves goal came on a penalty kick, tying a game in which Lusher scored within the first minute of play.

“They scored off the bat, then never scored again,” said Riverside Coach Stephen Millet. “Our defense did a real nice job.”

Millet gave a lot of credit to goalkeeper Beau Gaudet, who turned away a number of potential game-winning kicks.

“He stepped up for us and played a great game,” Millet said.

Lusher, however, gave what Millet says was a first hand account of what he wants to see his team evolve into.

“They’re more mature, and showed us what we need to become,” he said. “You’ve gotta start somewhere.”

Riverside returns to action next Wednesday, as it will host Independence at 5 p.m.