Field Hockey comes up short in GNAC Tournament

(Providence, R.I.) The sixth seeded Rivier University field hockey team was defeated by the third seeded Johnson and Wales, 2-1, in the first round of the Great Northeast Athletic Conference Championships on Saturday afternoon at the Scott's Miracle-Gro Athletics Complex. This marked the first ever postseason appearence in the program's history.

The Wildcats controlled the action for the entire first half outshooting the Raiders 14-0. Senior Courtney McTague (Saugus, Mass.) connected on the first shot of the second half to give JWU a 1-0 lead at the 36:27 mark. Nearly seven minutes later Rivier tied the game when sophomore Meredith Garcia (Newton, N.H.) scored on a crossing pass from junior Amber Bennett (New Boston, N.H.). Freshman Giovanna Ciavardoni (Latham, N.Y.) broke the tie at the 48:02 mark when she slid the game winning goal between the keeper's legs to secure the 2-1 win for the Wildcats.

Freshman Shannon Yoder (Boyertown, Pa.) earned the win in net for JWU making two saves on three shots while senior Makenzie Flagg (Shirley, Mass.) stopped 13 shots for the Raiders.

With the win, the Wildcats are now 13-6 on the season. JWU will return to action on Wednesday, November 4th when they travel to #2 Simmons for the semifinals of the conference Championships.

The loss ends the Raiders' season with a 6-12 overall record.