Women's Soccer: Raiders outpace Buccaneers, 5-1

NASHUA, N.H. – The Rivier University Women's Soccer team used a three goal second half to defeat visiting Massachusetts Maritime Academy, 5-1 under the lights at Joanne Merrill Field on Friday night. The win improves the Raiders' overall record to 2-1-1 while the Buccaneers remain winless at 0-4.

Rivier wasted no time getting on the board as junior Ashley Glynn (Salem, N.H.) converted a penalty kick in the seventh minute. Sophomore Jaida Mitchell (Raymond, N.H.) added to the lead in the 20th minute as she drove her shot home off the far post which then deflected into the back of net.

Mass. Maritime would cut the deficit in half during the 30th minute. Junior Sasha Alves (Freetown, Mass.) lifted a shot from just outside the 18' that was able to get over the outstretched arms of the Raiders goalkeeper. Freshman Ariel Damery (Plympton, Mass.) assisted on the goal as the teams entered the locker rooms with a 2-1 score in favor of the home team.

Rivier came out of the halftime on fire as they scored three times before the 80th minute. Sophomore Avery Martin (Milford, N.H.) netted her first collegiate goal as she converted a pass from senior Brittany Fletcher (Tewksbury, Mass.) at the top of the 18' that found the back of the net in the 49th minute. Junior Madison Sharpe (Raymond, N.H.) then recorded her first collegiate goal in the 53rd minute as she floated her shot from beyond the 18' with an assist credited to classmate Carley Bostwick (Lowell, Mass.). Fletcher then capped off the scoring in the 77th minute as she sprinted down the far side of the field on a breakaway and gave the Raiders a 5-1 lead that ended up being the final score.

Sophomore Micayla Bourski (Pawtucket, R.I.) made four saves on five shots for her first collegiate win between the posts. MMA freshman keeper Paige Albertson (Nantucket, Mass.) made three saves on eight chances in the loss for the Buccaneers.

Rivier will return to the pitch on Wednesday night as they host Anna Maria College in the first Great Northeast Athletic Conference contest of the season. Game time is set for 7:00pm. Massachusetts Maritime will return to action on Monday night as they host Nichols College at 7pm.