Field Hockey: Raiders fall in final minutes, drop 2-1 to Thomas College

(Nashua, N.H.) The Rivier University Field Hockey team fell tonight in heartbreaking fashion as Thomas College scored in the final minutes for a 2-1 non-conference win. The loss is just the first of the season for Rivier as they even out their overall record a 1-1. The Terriers improve to 2-1 with the victory.

Sophomore Nicole Mansfield (Acton, Mass.) got the Raiders on the board early as she rifled a loose ball in front of the net past Thomas goalkeeper Leah Kruse.

Thomas was able to answer back in the closing minutes of the opening stanza. Lindsey Gregoire collected a pass from Britney Gregoire and was able to get it past the diving attempt from Rivier senior goalkeeper Emily Foster (West Lebanon, N.H.).

Both teams battled throughout the second half with the Raiders outlasting the barrage of penalty corners from Thomas. With just a minute and 20 seconds remaining in the half, Thomas' Allie Gregoire swatted a pass from Britney Gregoire and found the back of the net for the game-winner.

Foster was outstanding in net for Rivier as she made eight saves on ten shots. Kruse earned the win between the pipes stopping three of the four shots she faced on net.

The Terriers held the edge in shots (19-3) and penalty corners (16-1) in the contest.

It'll be a short turnaround for the Raiders as they get set to host Regis College on Saturday afternoon. Game time is set for 7pm under the lights at Raider Field. Thomas, meanwhile, will remain on the road as they travel over to Wenham, Massachusetts for a 1pm non-conference contest at Gordon College.