The Rivier field hockey team celebrates its big win over Fitchburg State on Thursday night at Joanne Merrill Field. (Courtesy photo by Kayleigh Corriveau/Rivier Athletics)

NASHUA, N.H. – With 1:39 remaining in regulation, sophomore Lexi Davies converted on a penalty stroke to secure a 2-1 win over Fitchburg St. Thursday night at Joanne Merrill Field.

With the win, the Raiders jumped to 2-2, while the Falcons fell to 1-3.

HOW IT HAPPENED

Rivier controlled the pace of play in the opening quarter, out shooting Fitchburg St. 6-0. The Falcons goalkeeper turned away four of the six shots to keep the score level at zero after 15 minutes.

2:47 into the second quarter, the Raiders earned an advantage with a green card assessed to Ashley Willey. The Raiders recorded two chances over the two-minute stretch but where denied both times. At 25:35, senior Brianna Spinelli broke the deadlock, maneuvering around the goalkeeper to find twine. Neither side recorded a shot in the final four minutes of the half, leave the score as is heading into halftime.

Coming out of the break, both teams battled in the offensive zones. Rivier held a slight shot advantage, 3-2, before Fitchburg St. converted on a penalty stroke to tie the game at one.

With 2:46 remaining in the game, the Falcons received a yellow card, giving the Raiders a player advantage for the remaining of the game. Davies sealed the 2-1 win with a penalty stroke with 1:39 left.

BOX SCORE BREAKDOWN

Spinelli led the team with seven total shots, five on target.

First-year goalkeeper Tatum Flanagan registered two saves.

Senior Sophia Quinlan made three defensive saves.

UP NEXT

The Raiders return to the field for a non-conference match at Thomas (Me.). The game is scheduled for 1 p.m. at Bernatchez Field.

WOMEN’S VOLLEYBALL

FRAMINGHAM STATE 3, RIVIER 0

The Raiders fell to non-conference opponent Framingham St. 3-0 (25-21, 25-20, 25,16) at Logan Gymnasium to drop to 1-4, while the Rams improved to 4-1.

HOW IT HAPPENED

Framingham St. opening the contest on a 6-1, capitalizing on early attacking errors by Rivier. The Raiders answered by scoring five of the next six points. Juniors Lydia Brakefield and Savannah Dunne each recorded a kill during the stretch.

Rivier tied the opening frame up at 11 as senior Sam Driend and first year Ava Pohopek tallying two kills each. Following the tied score, the Rams charged ahead, logging eight of the next nine points scored, taking a 19-12 lead. Driend, first-year Ashlee Salafia, and Dunne cut the deficit to one, 20-19, before Framingham St. recorded five down the stretch to take a 1-0 match lead.

The Rams got out to an early lead once more in the second, holding a 4-0 edge. Rivier chipped away at the scoring margin with the help of kills from Brakefield and Dunne as well as a service ace from sophomore Mia Pento. Framingham St. regained and extended its advantage to 15-6, forcing the Raiders into a timeout. Coming out of the timeout, Rivier score three straight points with kills from Pohopek and junior Lily Seibel and an ace from sophomore Mollie Miner. Framingham St. regained its momentum and extended its lead to 21-12. Rivier countered earning six of the next seven points to come within four points. Both squads traded scores with the Rams holding on to their lead and taking set 2, 25-20.

Framingham St. took a commanding 8-3 lead to begin the third set. The Raiders chipped away, 12-7, with kills from sophomore Emma Zeblisky, junior Annabelle Lozzi, and senior Kacey Riseborough. The Rams regained control however, Rivier brought it back to within five, with another kill from Lozzi. Framingham St. closed out the match, 3-0, scoring five of the last six.

BOX SCORE BREAKDOWN

Zeblisky led the team with seven kills and a .333 hitting percentage…Seibel recorded a team-high 19 assists…Miner registered 12 digs.

UP NEXT

The Raiders return to the court for their home and Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) opener on Friday, Sept. 11. The first serve is scheduled for 6:00 p.m. at the Muldoon Center.