Field Hockey Defeat Rivier For First Win

Chris Kendrick (@CKendrick86)

CHICOPEE, Mass. – The Elms College field hockey team outlasted visiting Rivier University, 2-1, in a non-conference clash at Leary Field Tuesday night. With the victory, the Blazers improve to 1-4 on the season, while Rivier holds a 1-5 mark overall.

In the 18^th minute of play, junior Hayley Omahen (San Diego, Calif.) secured a loose ball near midfield and streaked towards the attacking zone, where she ripped a ball through the Raider defense to the far post and freshman Evelyn DeVaux (Wethersfield, Mass.) swooped in and knocked the ball past Rivier junior keeper Emily Foster (West Lebanon, N.H.) to stake Elms to a 1-0 lead. The Blazers held the 1-0 advantage for the remainder of the first half.

With just over 27 minutes to play in regulation, the Blazers netted an insurance goal as sophomore Madison Gabel (Agawam, Mass.) nabbed a loose ball in the Raiders zone, raced up the sideline towards goal and knocked a pass to the front of the net, where Omahen tipped the ball to sophomore Francesca Davitt (East Longmeadow, Mass.), who slipped a one-timer to the back of the cage, pushing Elms ahead 2-0.

In the 63^rd minute of play, Rivier sophomore Samantha White (Waltham, Mass.) ripped a pass from the top of the zone towards net, forcing Elms junior keeper Jillian Lapponese (Enfield, Conn.) to charge from her net, but before she could reach the ball, Raider sophomore Jaclyn Fraser (Wilmington, Mass.) tipped the ball inside the cage to cut the deficit to 2-1.

The Raiders outshot the Blazers, 17-8, during the contest. Lapponese made a match-high 11 saves for Elms in the win, while Foster stopped two shots for Rivier.

The Blazers will look to remain in the win column when they host Nichols College in non-conference action at Leary Field Thursday at 7:00 p.m. Rivier hosts Lasell College in Great Northeast Athletic Confernce (GNAC) action Saturday at 2:30 p.m.

ELMS FIELD HOCKEY