Rivier Tops Fitchburg State, 16-11

Bartlett leads Falcons offense with four goals in non-conference setback

NASHUA, N.H. (April 2, 2013) – The Fitchburg State women's lacrosse team was in action Tuesday night as it traveled to Rivier University, falling to the host Raiders, 16-11 in non-conference action at Raider Field.

Leading the way for the Raiders were Rebecca Wickens (Tyngsboro, Mass.), Lauren Brett (Otisfield, Maine) and Jessica Amaral (E. Providence, R.I.) who paced the offense with four goals apiece. Freshman Danielle Moran (San Diego, Calif.) earned the victory in net for Rivier, totaling eight saves in the complete game effort.

For the Falcons, senior Jessica Bartlett (Marlborough, Mass.) led the offensive attack, totaling a team-best four goals on the evening, while sophomore Lindsey White (Hanover, Mass.) and junior Chelsea Roberts (Newburyport, Mass.) added two goals apiece. In net, freshman, Elizabeth Darrigo (Billerica, Mass.) turned away five shots in the complete game effort.

Rivier opened the contest strong, posting a 3-0 advantage over the first six minutes of play. Freshman Elena Reilly (Braintree, Mass.) kick started the Raiders scoring with back-to-back goals to open the game before Amaral capped the rally with a score at the 23:51 mark. The Falcons closed the gap to 4-3 with goals from White, Bartlett and Roberts, but the Raiders tacked on three more markers to take a 7-5 advantage into the break.

In the second half, Fitchburg State found the back of the net first as Bartlett pulled the Falcons within one, 7-6, but Rivier responded with a 3-1 scoring surge to take a 10-7 advantage with 19 minutes remaining. The Falcons again crept closer with scores from White and senior Kristin Dooley (Salem Mass.), but the Raiders sealed the victory down the stretch, answering with four straight goals to close the game.

Rivier out-shot Fitchburg State, 30-25 in the contest and also held a 23-7 margin in groundballs. Fitchburg State controlled the draw with a 15-13 advantage, but six first half saves by the Raiders proved to be the difference maker.

Fitchburg State (1-4, 0-1 MASCAC) will be back in action on Thursday as it hosts Daniel Webster College at 4 p.m. Rivier (4-3, 1-2 GNAC) returns to action this Thursday night with GNAC opponent, Anna Maria, at 7 pm