Raiders Upended By Monks – Dropped For Tough Overtime Loss 14 – 11

Nashua, NH, Raider Field – The Rivier University Raiders (6 – 7, 4 – 4 GNAC) faced the visiting Saint Joseph's College Monks (8 – 6, 7 – 1 GNAC) today in a tight GNAC matchup that the visitors ultimately pulled away with in overtime 14 – 11.  On the day, the Rivier University Women's Lacrosse Program recognized five seniors for their contributions – Rebecca Wickens (Senior - Tyngsboro, MA), Hannah Wyatt (Senior - Merrimack, NH), Vanessa Viola (Senior - Nashua, NH), Jessica Amaral (Senior - E. Providence, RI), and Sarah Sigman (Senior - Dracut, MA).  The individual write-ups for the seniors are below at the close of the write-up.   

The first half set the tone for the game with the teams trading goals and runs of play, ultimately leading to a 5 – 5 score line at halftime.  Through the second half the teams combined for six lead changes.  The game went right down to the wire with Rivier taking a late 11 – 10 lead with  just 1:19 left to play on a goal from Rebecca Wickens.  The visiting Monks responded, scoring with 36 seconds to play on a tally from Cassie Diplock (Senior – Augusta, ME) that tied the game 11 – 11 and forced the overtime frame.  The Monks were able to strike for two goals in the first overtime period and add another in the second to pull out the 14 – 11 win.

Rivier was led by Rebecca Wickens with 4 goals and 8 ground balls; Jessica Amaral with 4 goals and 7 ground balls; Elena Reilly (Sophomore - Braintree, MA) with 2 goals, 1 assist, and 2 ground balls; and Savannah Neuwirt (Junior - Newbury, NH) with 3 assists and 4 ground balls.  Danielle Moran (Sophomore - San Diego, CA) logged the full 60 minutes in goal for Rivier, recording 17 saves and 1 ground ball. 

The visiting Monks' attack centered on the play of Cassie Diplock who netted 7 goals, 1 assist, and 12 ground balls; Kat Gadbois (Sophomore – Scarborough, ME) with 2 goals, 1 assist, and 3 ground balls; Lizzie Calnan (Junior – Westport, MA) with 1 goal and 5 ground balls; and Macy Pagurko (Senior – Augusta, ME) with 1 goal, 1 assist, and 3 ground balls.  Haley Nason (Senior – Saco, ME) 3 saves and Elizabeth Giacchino (Senior – Melrose, MA) 3 saves combined in goal with each playing one half.       

With the loss, the Raiders fall to 6 – 7 overall and 4 – 4 in the GNAC.  Saint Joseph's moves to 8 – 6 overall with the win and 7 – 1 in the GNAC.  The Raiders return to GNAC Conference action Tuesday night April 15^th at 7:00 pm in an away game at Simmons College.  Saint Joseph's  returns to action with another GNAC opponent, traveling to Anna Maria on April 15^th for a 4:30 pm tilt.

Below are the individual write-ups for each of the five senior women's lacrosse players:

Sarah Sigman- Is a starting defenseman for the Raiders.  She is an Education Major from Dracut, MA and has played lacrosse at Rivier for the past 3 years.  During her time in blue and white, Sigman played in 31 games, starting in 23 of them.  She has accumulated 10 Groundballs, one draw control, 2 caused turnovers, and 1 goal.  She has been an important member of this program, and has had the ability to come up big when it counts. Sigman has great understanding of how to intercept and knockdown passes and goals.  Wearing #20 for three years, Sarah has been an intricate part of the development of the program here at Rivier!

Hannah Wyatt- Is a four year Attack for the Raiders.  A Nursing Major from Merrimack, NH Hannah has helped this program since its very young stages of development.  Playing in 45 games, and getting the start in 40 of them Hannah has had 69 goals, and 42 assists totaling 111 points so far in her career.  Furthermore she has compiled 83 ground balls, 17 draw controls, and 9 caused turnovers.  She has been a strong attackman and player for the Raiders.  Wearing #4 Hannah continues to be a foundation for the attack.

Vanessa Viola- Is a four year starter in the midfield for the Raiders.  A Nursing major from Nashua, NH Viola is a 3 year captain playing and starting in all of the 53 games of her collegiate career.  Scoring a total of 29 goals, and 14 assists, the 43 point midfielder is a true competitor.  She continues to add to her stats every game- while right now she has 192 groundballs, 135 draw controls and 51 caused turnovers Viola's work in the midfield is unyielding.  Wearing # 7, Viola has the skill, conditioning, and talent to be a standout player.  Her past 4 years echo that.

Jessica Amaral-  Is a four year starter in the midfield for the Raiders. A Business major from East Providence, RI and a captain this year Amaral has had a standout career for the raiders. Amaral has a total of 139 goals, scoring her 100^th goal on April 10^th, 2013 vs Emerson College, and adding 48 assists to her total points of  187, She is relentless on the attack.  Amaral continues to have impressive statistics leading the team in all of the following categories with a total of 224 ground balls, 160 draw controls and 61 caused turn overs.  Amaral has been a member of the All-Conference team and due to her leadership, skill and work ethic was named a captain this year.  Wearing #13, Amaral has been an impact in all of the 52 games she played and started in.

Rebecca Wickens_  Is a four year starter in the midfield for the Raiders. An Education Major from Tynsboro, MA and a captain for the 2014 season.  Wickens has been an Amazing player while dressed in the Blue and White for the Raiders.  Leading the team with goals, scoring her 100^th goal her sophomore year on April 18, 2012 v St. Joseph University, and her 200^th career goal on April 5^th 2014 vs. Johnson and Wales University.  She currently leads the team with a total of 204 goals, with an additional 26 assists bringing her points to 230.  Wickens also is able to be an impact player in the mid field, tallying 201 ground balls, 124 draw controls and 46 caused turnovers. She has been an immediate impact player since she put on #1 and took the field as a Raider her freshman year.  Wickens has played in and started all 53 games of her collegiate career.