NASHUA, N.H. – After being voted to finish eighth in the Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) Preseason Poll, Rivier Field Hockey will open its 2026 season under fourth-year head coach Hayley Sutherland on home turf against Keene St. on Sept. 1 at 5:00 p.m. 

LAST SEASON 

• The Raiders finished the 2025 campaign with a 5-14 overall record, including a 3-7 mark in GNAC play. 

• Rivier advanced to the GNAC Tournament before falling to Dean College, 6-3, on the road in the quarterfinal round. 

• Senior Brianna Spinelli  led the Raiders offensively with 33 total points, scoring 15 goals and adding three assists. 

• Junior Kelsey Bain provided another strong offensive presence, ranking third in total points with 19, coming by way of seven goals and five assists. 

• Senior Sophia Quinlan anchored the defensive effort, setting the program record for most defensive saves in a season with 10 total during the 2026 campaign. 

CAPTAINS 

• Spinelli, Bain, and Quinlan along with senior Shaelyn Burke, will serve as captains and lead the Raiders for the 2026 season.  

NEWCOMERS 

• Rivier welcomes eight new first-year student-athletes to the lineup for the 2026 campaign. 

PRESEASON ACCOLADES 

• Spinelli and Quinlan were both named to the 2026 National Field Hockey Coaches Association (NFHCA) Division III Watchlist. 

SCHEDULE 

• Rivier opens the season with an intrastate matchup against reigning Little East Conference (LEC) champion Keene St. on Sept. 1. 

• The Raiders then travel to Framingham, Mass., to take on Framingham St. on Sept. 3. 

• GNAC play begins on Sept. 19, when Rivier hosts Dean College at 12:00 p.m. 

• The Raiders will celebrate Alumni Reunion Weekend with a Sept. 26 matchup against Lasell. 

• Senior Day will be celebrated on Oct. 24 when Rivier hosts GNAC opponent Saint Joseph (Conn.). 

• Rivier closes out the regular season on the road against Mount Holyoke on Tuesday, Oct. 27, at 6:00 p.m.