Women's Lacrosse takes down Becker in season opener
| Final | 1 | 2 | T | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Becker (0-2) | 2 | 10 | 12 |
|
Rivier (1-0) | 11 | 6 | 17 |
(Nashua, N.H.) The Rivier Women's Lacrosse team opened the 2016 season with a 17 – 12 victory over the visiting Becker College Hawks this evening at Raider Field. With the win, the Raiders open at 1-0 on the season. With the loss, the Hawks fall to 0-1.
Both the Raiders and Hawks played very well in this one. Blistering winds and a starting temperature that hovered just above freezing at 35 degrees, without significant wind chill, made this game a very chilly and testing one. To start the game, Rivier came out firing connecting for the game's first 5 goals, and running out to a 10 – 1 lead by clicking for the next 5 goals after Becker added 1 to try to hold off the barrage at 5 – 1. The Raiders assault was led by 3 goals apiece from Amanda Wickens (JR, Tyngsboro, MA) and Paxton LaRocque (SR, Londonderry, NH). Wickens added another tally, fittingly assisted by Larocque, to close out the first half scoring with the Raiders holding a commanding 11 – 2 lead. Rachel Welling (SR, Charlestown, NH) netted 2 unassisted goals for the visitors in the first stanza.
The visiting Hawks used a 6 goal rumble over the first 15 minutes of the 2nd half to pull within 6 goals at 14 – 8. Becker got goals from Kailee Ruyack (SR, Beacon, NY), Victoria Belcher (SR, Seekonk, MA), Welling, Jocelyn Lebel (FR, Grafton, MA), and Rachel Adams (FR, Leominster, MA) to power the run. Taylor Lirakis (SO, Tewksbury, MA) and Ashley Leal (FR, Tyngsboro, MA) fired back for the home team. Over the final 15 minutes, Wickens, Larocque, Lirakis, and Leal would pace the Raiders. The four goals kept Rivier ahead of Becker's late surge sparked by 4 goals from Ruyack. Raiders' freshmen Leal notched a man down and a man up goal in the 2nd half.
Rivier was lead on the day by Wickens, 5 goals, 1 assist, 8 shots on goal, and 4 ground balls; Larocque, 4 goals, 1 assist, 4 shots on goal, and 3 ground balls; Lirakis, 2 goals, 3 assists, 3 shots on goal, and a game leading 11 ground balls; and Leal, 2 goals, 3 shots on goal, and 2 ground balls. In goal, Courtney Laperriere (FR, Keene, NH) earned the win with 8 saves.
Becker was paced by Ruyack, 5 goals, 7 shots on goal, and 2 ground balls; Welling, 3 goals, 4 shots on goal, and 5 ground balls; and Belcher, 2 goals, 4 shots on goal, and a team leading 8 ground balls. The visiting Haws were backstopped by 8 saves from Arianne Chipman (SO, Hingham, MA).
The Raiders are packing their bags at the end of the week, next up is a trip to the welcoming warmth and sun of Clearwater, Fla. for a two game stint with games on March 8th versus Swarthmore and March 10th versus Widener. Becker returns to action on the 8th as well with a home contest versus Mount Ida College.
