Falcons Defeat Raiders, 9-4 In Season Opener

Miele nets first two collegiate scores for Fitchburg State

Nashua, N.H. – The Fitchburg State University Women's Lacrosse team defeated the Raiders of Rivier University, 9-4 in non-conference action this evening from Raider Field in the season opener for both schools.

The Basics

Score: Fitchburg State 9, Rivier 4

Records: Fitchburg State (1-0) | Rivier (0-1)

How It Happened

Fitchburg State opened the scoring early in the first half as sophomore Madison Alves (Braintree, Mass.) connected on her first score of the season for the 1-0 advantage before Rivier knotted the score (1-1) as junior Dzeriana Omerovic (Revere, Mass.) netted the equalizer one minute later.

The two teams traded goals (3-3) with junior Tracy Long (Georgetown, Mass.) and Alves finding the back of the net for the Falcons, while seniors Marin Owens (Brookline, N.H.) and Ashley Leal (Tyngsboro, Mass.) registering scores for the Raiders. Fitchburg State would take a 5-3 edge into the break however with senior Amanda Hem (Lowell, Mass.) and Alves netting markers late in the frame.

Following the break, Fitchburg State upped its margin (6-3) as freshman Julia Miele (South Hadley, Mass.) registered her first collegiate tally before Rivier responded on a goal from junior Amanda Barton (Pelham, N.H.) to cut the lead to 6-4.

The Green and Gold secured the victory though with Miele collecting her second goal of the contest, while Long and junior Rebecca Fisher (Dracut, Mass.) capped the scoring for the visitors, resulting in the 9-4 final.

Inside the Numbers

• Tenth meeting between the two squads with the Falcons 8-2 vs the Raiders
• Miele netted her first two collegiate scored for Fitchburg State
• Senior Marguerite Belcher (Quincy, Mass.) stopped eight shots for the Falcons
• Counterpart Courtney Laperriere (Keene, N.H.) made ten saves for the Raiders
• With the win, Belcher moved into second place on the Falcons all-time career wins list with 20 career victories in net
• Alves paced Fitchburg State with four points (3 G, 1A) as well as one ground ball, one draw control and two caused turnovers
• Junior Nicole Kopacz (Tewksbury, Mass.) finished with two ground balls and four caused turnovers for the Falcons
• Leal led the way for Rivier with one goal, three draw controls and two caused turnovers
• Barton added seven ground balls, three draw controls and two caused turnover for Rivier

Up Next

Falcons are off until Monday, March 1th when they take on the Pioneers of Carroll University in the opening contest on their annual spring trip to Port Charlotte, Fla., starting at 10:00 AM. Raiders will host the Cadets of Norwich University on Wednesday, March 13th at 5:00 PM.