Delaware Valley College
4, Rivier College 3
The 2009 season for the Rivier College Raiders kicked off with a
big gasp at the Mountaineer Invitational Tournament in Bennington,
VT. Before the match was 15 minutes old the Raiders found
themselves down by two (2) goals to a much bigger Delaware Valley
College squad. Unfazed and undaunted the 2009 Raiders scored in the
20th minute on a goal by junior Zach
Zina (Ludlow, MA). The goal was created by a defensive
turn over, a couple of balls played through the midfield and an
assist from fellow junior Chris Nugent (Camberly
Surrey, England). Nugent then tallied the equalized on a penalty
kick in the 30th minute. The Aggies gained control of
the game 7 minutes later. Nugent scored his second goal of the half
on a brilliant feed from freshman Ford Coates
(Raymond, NH) in the 45th minute.
Freshman Matt St. Peter (Colchester, VT) got
his first collegiate start between the pipes for the Raiders.
St. Peter had one (1) save facing nine (9) shots in his first
action. Junior John Jarvis (Henniker, NH) replaced
the freshman for the start of the second half. Jarvis made one (1)
save while facing 5 shots.
Rivier played all of the players available. Freshman
Mike Birecki (Andover, MA) and Eric
Moreno (Lynn, MA) also received their first college
starts. Both played significant minutes and contributed to the
advantage in play that the Raiders held. Cameron
Williams (Lisbon, NH) contributed with outstanding defense
and a glimpse of attacking prowess.
Regis College 2, Rivier
College 1
The Raiders jumped out to a 1-0 lead in the 22nd
minute on a goal by freshman Ford Coates (Raymond,
NH) (1-1-3). Coates was assisted by junior
Chris Nugent (Camberly Surrey, England)
(2-2-6). The Raiders lead was short lived as Regis
leveled the score 2 minutes later. The teams played to a 1-1 half.
The Pride struck in the 49th minute for the game winner.
Freshman Matt St. Peter (Colchester, VT) received
his second start in as many games. St. Peter made one (1)
save on nine (9) shots. Junior John Jarvis
(Henniker, NH) entered the match at the half. Jarvis faced seven
(7) shots and made six (6) saves.
Unsure if it was because the Raiders were playing their second
game in as many days, or the fact that they are young and maturing,
the crisp play and attacking style they showed a day earlier
deserted them on this day. The freshmen continue to shine.
Mike Birecki (Andover, MA) played 180 minutes over
the two day tournament.
The Raiders are on the road two times in this upcoming week.
They travel to New England College (Henniker, NH) for a 4:00 p.m.
match on Thursday September 10. On Saturday September 12 Rivier is
again on the road at Mt. Ida College to open up it's Great
Northeast Athletic Conference schedule (GNAC) in Newton, MA.
