Women's Lacrosse: Raiders downed by Sharks, 23-12.

(Nashua, N.H.) The Rivier University Raiders Women's Lacrosse program fell to the Sharks of Simmons University this afternoon in a conference match up. 
The loss drops the Raiders to a 3-9 overall record and 2-6 in conference play.  The win lifts the Sharks to a 5-6 overall and 3-4 within the GNAC. 

While the scoreline ended in favor of the Sharks.  The Raiders walked away with 12 goals and 6 assists for the books.  

First to score for the Raiders was Senior Ashley Leal (Tyngsboro, Mass.) at the 25:15 mark.  The goal came after a couple turnovers by each team. Freshman Breana Abilheira-Cargill (Cumberland, R.I.) wound up on the end of one of them and Rivier was able to complete a clearance attempt.  Eventually the ball wound up in senior Marin Owen's (Brookline, N.H.) possession.  Unselfishly, the middie dished it off to Leal who finally put it into the back of the net.  The Raiders narrowed the Sharks lead to a one point advantage. 

Simmons quickly responded after winning the draw control and tallying a quick goal. 

Unsatisfied with the result the Raiders retaliated. Owens came out of the draw control with possestion and the Raiders earned a free position attempt.  Amy Eacho was at the line and eventually took the shot but the Sharks goalkeeper denied the opportunity with a save.  However the visitors wound up turning it over in the same play. grad student Morghan Linehan (Bedford, N.H.) scooped up the ground ball and handed it off to junior Amanda Barton (Pelham, N.H.) who finished the play.  Again, narrowing the lead to just a point difference. 

Barton found the back of the net 4 more times before the end of the half.  Owens managed to put one in herself off a Linehan assist.  The first half ended 11-7 in favor of the visitors.

The Raiders were caught on their heels at the beginning of the second half after conceding 5 goals.  It was Owens and Leal who tallied 2 goals to close down the lead a shut down the opponents for just a minute.  Shortly after the Sharks attacked again deepening thier lead by 2 more goals.

Before the final whistle was blown the Raiders were able to earn 2 more goals. One of which was by rookie Cailee Green (Henniker, N.H.).  This was the 5th goal of her first season season.  

Next up for the Raiders will be a home game against conference foes Regis College on Wednesday night at 7PM on Raider Field in Nashua, N.H.