Late goal lifts Field Hockey past Wheelock, 2-1

(Nashua, N.H.) Sophomore Marykate Sweeney (Chicopee, Mass.) scored the eventual game winner with just under two minutes remaining in regulation as the Rivier University Field Hockey team edged the visiting Wildcats of Wheelock College, 2-1 in a non-conference contest at Raider Field. The victory propels the Raiders' overall record to 2-5 while the loss drops Wheelock to a 2-4 overall record.

Rivier held a 1-0 lead at halftime in part to an unassisted goal by Chelsie Hubicsak-Muldowney (Windham, N.H.) at the 26:37 mark. It was Hubicsak-Muldowney's third goal of the season, tying her with junior Chelsea Gomes (Epsom, N.H.) and freshman Linsey Roth (Tyngsboro, Mass.) for the team lead.

Wheelock was able to get on the board and tie the game when Emma Panto's shot was able to sneak past Rivier freshman goaltender Emily Foster at the 63 minute mark. Panto converted on a set corner play from Abbey Raymond.

Sweeney would give the Raiders the lead and the win as she was able to knock home a pass from sophomore Emily Knoops (Tewksbury, Mass.). Knoops collected a rebound off a blocked shot by Hubiscak-Muldowney and was able to thread the needle to set up the game winner.

Foster made 12 saves in her first career win. Cassidy Smith was in goal for Wheelock and she stopped seven of the nine shots she saw over the 70 minute game.

Rivier will look to make it two in a row this Saturday afternoon as they host Mount Ida College in a Great Northeast Athletic Conference contest. Game time is scheduled for 12pm at Raider Field. Wheelock will have almost a full week off before they hit the field against Regis College in Weston, Mass on Tuesday, September 29th.