Colby-Sawyer Sneaks Past Field Hockey, 3-2 (OT), in GNAC Quarterfinals

NEW LONDON, N.H. – In a rematch of last year's conference quarterfinals, the Rivier field hockey team was narrowly defeated by Colby-Sawyer, 3-2 in overtime, in the Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) Quarterfinals on Saturday afternoon at Veitch Field. Rivier, under the direction of first year head coach Hayley Sutherland finished with a record of 8-9 (8-4 GNAC), while the Chargers advance to the conference semifinals with a record of 13-4.

Both Abby Olden and Courtney Larson bookended the opening half with goals in the first 33 seconds and the last 1:03 of the frame, putting the Chargers up 2-0 at the break.

Kayla Miles would break the scoring drought for Rivier 5:38 into the second half as she tapped in a Madison Streeter shot that bounced out in front of an open cage. Miles would strike once again, redirecting in a shot from Madison Bovill to tie the game at 2-2 in the final seconds of the third quarter.

After a scoreless final 15 minutes of regulation, the teams headed to overtime. As the first overtime period was winding to a close, Cecilia Ponzini would play the hero for Colby-Sawyer, tipping in a shot from Aubrey Fischer, for the game-winning goal.

The Raiders outshot the Chargers in the setback, 17-15, while earning 11 corners to Colby-Sawyer's nine.

Rivier keeper Kylie Coupal made six saves in the final game of the season.

The Raiders now look ahead to the 2024 season, while the Chargers will move on to Wednesday's semifinal round.