The Raiders couldn't get enough push in their season opener at Keene State on Friday. (Courtesy photo by Frank Fichera/Rivier Athletic)

KEENE – The Rivier field hockey team dropped its season opener by a score of 7-2 on Friday evening in a non-conference match up with intrastate foe Keene St. at the Owl Athletic Complex.

With the loss, the Raiders fell to 0-1, while the Owls improved to 1-0.

Keene St. held a 6-0 lead heading into the fourth quarter.

Senior Reilly Swislosky netted the Raiders’ first goal of the season, 50 seconds into the fourth quarter.

The Owls added their final tally just over the 50-minute mark of the contest to extend their lead to 7-1.

Sophomore Kelsey Bain notched her first goal of the 2025 campaign off a feed from first-year Lexi Davies.

BOX SCORE BREAKDOWN

Senior goalkeeper Lily Gifford recorded a career-high 11 saves in the outing.

Swislosky led the offense with three shots on goal, with junior Brianna Spinelli and Bain each recording two.

Keene St. outshot Rivier 19-9 in shots on goal.

UP NEXT

The Raiders return to action Wednesday, Sept. 3, for a non-conference game against Salem St. The game is set to start at 4 p.m. at Alumni Field.

WOMEN’S SOCCER

SOUTHERN MAINE 5, RIVIER 4

GORHAM, Maine – The Rivier women’s soccer team came up short against non-conference match-up opponent Southern Maine University, 5-4, to open the 2025 regular season Friday night at Hannaford Field in Gorham, Maine.

With the result, the Raiders began the year with a 0-1-0 record, while the Huskies improved to 1-0-0.

HOW IT HAPPENED

Lexi Morin opened the scoring for the Huskies in the 17th minute.

The Raiders responded almost instantly, as sophomore Leah Morrier was able to find the back of the net for the first time this season off a set piece.

Southern Maine regained the lead at the 24:56 minute mark, but 15 seconds later, found twine to level the score once again, 2-2.

The Huskies found the back of the net in the 39th minute, giving them a 3-2 advantage heading into the break.

Rivier found momentum midway through the second half, as Morrier and first-year Bailey Gatchell each netted their second goals of the contest within a minute of each other to put the Raiders back on top, 4-3.

Southern Maine answered back with two goals of their own to reclaim a 5-4 lead, as Kadynne Smith delivered the go-ahead goal late in the second half to close out the contest.

BOX SCORE BREAKDOWN

First year, Olivia Rosario played all 90 minutes in goal for Rivier, recording 13 saves. Morrier and Gatchell each recorded two goals, with Morrier adding an assist.

The Huskies outshot the Raiders, 36-9. USM also held a slight advantage in corner chances, 7-4.

UP NEXT

The Raiders return to Nashua for their home opener and game one of their three-game homestand today against the Keene St. Owls. Kickoff is set for 6 p.m. at Joanne Merrill Field.

WOMEN’S VOLLEYBALL

KEENE STATE 3, RIVIER 1

The Rivier women’s team fell in four sets in its season opener against non-conference opponent Keene St. on day one of the Joel B. Dearing ’79 Classic hosted by Springfield College, Friday evening at Blake Arena.

With the loss, the Raiders fell to 0-1, while the Owls improved to 1-0.

HOW IT HAPPENED

Both squads traded points to begin the first set until back-to-back service aces by junior Sam Driend put Rivier in front 9-6.

The Raiders extended their lead to five before a series of attack errors put them ahead, 22-12.

The Owls answered with three straight points, but a Driend’s third service ace closed out the first set for Rivier, 25-15

Keene St. took control in the second set, jumping out to a 14-6 lead.

The Raiders chipped away, thanks to kills from senior Callie Nanos and sophomore Lydia Brakefield; however, the Owls regained control, going on an eight-point run to take set two, 25-12.

Keene St. continued to have success offensively, jumping out in front 9-3 to begin the third set. Four kills from Nanos and one from sophomore Lily Seibel brought the Raiders within two. Both teams continued to trade opportunities throughout the set, but the Owls’ early lead helped them stay ahead and take a 2-1 lead.

Keene St. took a 12-4 lead in the fourth and never looked back, taking the fourth set and the match, 25-15.

BOX SCORE BREAKDOWN

Nanos led the offense with 11 kills on a .276 hitting percentage.

Seibel led the team in assists with 22 in the season opener.

Senior Kaitlyn Miller led the defensive efforts with 12 digs, with classmate Ali Rivera and Seibel close behind with 11 each.

UP NEXT

The Raiders return to Blake Arena today for day two of the Dearing Classic. Their first match is scheduled for 1 p.m. against non-conference opponents Westfield St.