Field Hockey: Ramsdell, Raiders top Elms 5-3

(Nashua, N.H.) Junior Jaclyn Fraser (Wilmington, Mass.) and freshman Maegan Sheehy (Sabattus, Maine) each scored a pair of goals as the Rivier University Field Hockey team defeated visiting Elms College, 5-3 this evening at Raider Field. The win improves the Raiders' overall record to 2-4 on the season while the Blazers fall to 2-6.

Rivier jumped out to a quick start as Fraser netted her first of the game, an unassisted tally in the 4th minute. Eight minutes later Fraser helped make it a 2-0 advantage as she assisted on Sheehy's first goal of the game.

Elms would strike back and cut the deficit in half when senior Hayley Omahen (San Diego, Calif.) swatted home a pass from junior Madison Gabel (Agawam, Mass.) in the 27th minute.

In the closing minutes of the first half, the Raiders were awarded a penalty stroke and freshman Lia Yohanan (Andover, N.J.) capitalized on to give Rivier a 3-1 lead at the break.

Things would get dicey for the Raiders in the opening minutes of the second stanza. Omahen would net her second goal of the game off a pass from senior Jeszenia McGuire (Brimfield, Mass.) in the 37th minute and then the lead would be cut to 1 minutes later as Gabel smacked a loose ball into the back of the net in the 41st minute.

A smart timeout by Rivier allowed the team to recover and regroup for the final 30 minutes of action. Fraser would then add an insurance goal in the 67th minute as she knocked home a pass from senior Mikayla Ramsdell (Salem, N.H.) off a penalty corner.

Freshman Katie Olsen (Saugus, Mass.) started in net and was credited with the win as she stopped the only shot she faced in the first 35 minutes. Senior Emily Foster (West Lebanon, N.H.) played the final 35 and made five saves.

Elms' senior goalkeeper Jillian Lapponese (Enfield, Conn.) made three saves on the evening in the loss.

Next up for the Raiders will be a Great Northeast Athletic Conference contest at Colby-Sawyer College on Saturday afternoon. Game time is set for 12pm. Elms will also be in action on Saturday as they host Dean College in a NECC affair.