(Nashua, N.H.) The Rivier Women's lacrosse team defeated the visiting Mount Ida Mustangs this afternoon at Raider field by the score of 15-13. With the win, the Raiders improve their season record to 2-6 (2-2 GNAC). As for the Mustangs, the loss drops their record to 2-6 (2-3 GNAC).
The game began quickly for the Raiders as they were able to score two goals, one by Savannah Neuwirt (Newbury, N.H.) and the other by Taylor Lirakis (Tewksbury, Mass.) off of an impressive free-position shot. Mount Ida would end up putting in two goals in under two minutes as Nicole Pavao (Peabody, Mass.) and Amanda Bowen (Randolph, VT.) were each able to score for the Mustangs at the 22:11 mark and again at the 20:28 mark.
The Raiders, beginning at the 14:12 mark in the first half, took the game directly to the Mustangs using a run of 5-1 to boost their lead to 7-3 heading into halftime. During the run, Amanda Wickens (Tyngsboro, Mass.) was able to net 3 goals for Rivier. The Mustangs however, would not go away so easily. A goal by Samantha Basler (Plymouth, Mass.) and another by Hayley Napier (Fairhaven, Mass.) cut the Raider lead to just 2 goals. Just when the Mustangs pulled to within closing distance, the Raiders, using an impressive 3 goal run, re-established their lead to 5 goals.
Before the Raiders were given the chance to celebrate their lead, the Mustangs had goals from Samantha Basler (Plymouth, Mass.), Rebecca Beaulieu (Weare, N.H.), Nicole Batakis (E. Longmeadow, Mass.), and Amanda Bowen (Randolph, VT.). The run quickly trimmed the Raider lead to 1 goal. Rivier was able to stop the Mustang run with a nice goal by Jocelyn Park (Londonderry, N.H.) at the 13:35 mark. Unfortunately, the Mustangs battled right back with another two goal swing as Amanda Bowen (Randolph, VT.), and Rebecca Beaulieu (Weare, N.H.) netted a goal each for Mount Ida. Despite the many attempts by the Mustangs to steal the win from the Raiders, they were ultimately shut down at the very end, losing 15-13.
Rivier had good performances turned in by Amanda Wickens (Tyngsboro, Mass.) who was able to record 4 goals for the Raiders on 6 shots. Savannah Neuwirt (Newbury, N.H.) was also able to score 4 goals for the Raiders and added 1 assist to her tally. Taylor Lirakis (Tewksbury, Mass.) and Jocelyn Park (Londonderry, N.H.) each were able to add 2 goals for the Raiders. Paxton Larocque (Londonderry, N.H.), Veronica Jones (West Chesterfield, N.H.), and Shae O'Connell (Bridgewater, Mass.) each added 1 goal for the Raiders.
Mount Ida had good performances turned in by Amanda Bowen (Randolph, VT.) who was able to score 4 goals and record 1 assist for the Mustangs. Samantha Basler (Plymouth, Mass.) scored 2 goals and recorded 2 assists while teammates Rebecca Beaulieu (Weare, N.H.) and Hayley Napier (Fairhaven, Mass.) added an additional 2 goals each for the Mustangs.
For their next contest, the Rivier Women's lacrosse team will play against the Daniel Webster College Eagles on March 30th at 3:30pm. As for the Mustangs, they will next play host to Saint Joseph's (Me.) on April 1st at 3:30pm.
