Field Hockey Downs Saint Joseph (Conn.), 3-1, On Senior Day

NASHUA, N.H. – The Rivier field hockey team earned a 3-1 victory over Saint Joseph (Conn.) in a Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) contest on Saturday afternoon at Merrill Field. Prior to the contest, Rivier's senior class was honored for their four years of dedication to the program.

The win propelled the Raiders' record to 6-9 (4-6 GNAC), while the Blue Jays dropped to 9-6 (5-4 GNAC).

Rivier sophomore forward Brianna Spinelli scored the game's first goal, burying a rebound with 1:30 remaining in the opening frame.

The home side would double its lead 2:52 into the second quarter as graduate student forward Kayla Miles finished a second-chance opportunity. Later in the period, a Rivier yellow card led to five minutes of action with 10 players. The defense stepped up to shut out the Blue Jays, not allowing a single shot during that span, preserving the two-goal lead at halftime.

Saint Joseph would strike 8:31 into the third quarter with Kaitlin Trudeau scoring on a feed from Ariana Komonaj to cut the deficit to one.

One minute later, a shot off the stick of junior Reilly Swislosky rattled off the post. Riv's offensive attack would continue over the next few minutes, earning two corners. Graduate midfielder Chloe Sicard scored on the second corner chance on a backhanded attempt towards goal on a feed from senior midfielder Hailey Morse.

USJ earned a corner of its own with less than a second remaining in the third. Despite two Trudeau shots on target, Rivier senior goalkeeper Kylie Coupal turned both shots aside to keep the 3-1 lead intact heading into the final 15 minutes of regulation.

Saint Joseph outshot Rivier four to three in the final frame, but neither team could add to their tally, securing the Raiders' fourth conference win of the season.

Rivier outshot USJ, 17-15, while earning nine corners to the Blue Jays' eight. Coupal finished with eight saves in her fifth victory of the campaign.

The Raiders' GNAC slate continues on Tuesday, Oct. 22 with a road matchup against Elms. The start time is scheduled for 7:00 p.m. from Leary Field.