Women's Lacrosse: Fitchburg State upends Raiders, 10-6

(Nashua, N.H.) The Rivier Women's Lacrosse team (1 – 5, 0 – 1 GNAC) fell to visiting Fitchburg State University (3 – 4) this evening 10 – 6 at Raider Field.  The visiting Falcons were in command at halftime 6 – 3, using a three goal run over the final 9 minutes to break a 3 – 3 tie with 9:27 to play.  Rivier had knocked in two quick strikes with Alyssa Ciszek (FR, Tyngsboro, MA) and Sally Kennedy (FR, Billerica, MA) going back to back to tie the game at three apiece.  The Raiders pushed the pace in the opening 10 minutes of the 2^nd half and drew into a 6 – 6 tie with 23 minutes to play.  Fitchburg responded with a goal at the 13:46 mark to pull ahead 7 – 6.  The visitors added three more tallies to close out the game and take the 10 – 6 road victory. 

Rivier was led on the day by Ciszek with 3 goals, 5 shots on goal, and 3 ground balls; and Jane Farrell (SR, Wilmington, MA), 1 goal, 1 assist, 1 shot on goal, and a game leading 6 ground balls.  In goal, Courtney Laperriere(SO, Keene, NH) went the distance and had 12 saves on the day, a solid half dozen being of the stellar variety. 

The Falcons were paced by Carrie Long (JR, Foxboro, MA), 4 goals, 1 assist, 5 shots on goal, and 4 ground balls; and Ali Laferriere (SR, Tyngsboro, MA), 2 goals, 3 assists, 3 shots on goal, and 4 ground balls.  The visitors were backstopped by 7 saves from starter Marguerite Belcher (SO, Quincy, MA).

Next up for the Raiders is a home game versus the Nichols College Bison at 6:00 pm on Thursday, March 30^th.   Fitchburg State returns to action on April 1^st when they host Westfield State in conference play.