Box Score HENNIKER, N.H. – The New England College field hockey team won 3-2 over visiting Rivier University in Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) action on Wednesday evening at Don Melander Field in Henniker, New Hampshire. It was the first home GNAC match for the Pilgrims since joining the conference this year, and the season opener for the Raiders.
THE BASICS
Score: Rivier 2, New England College 3
Records: Pilgrims 2-0, 2-0 GNAC | Raiders 0-1, 0-1 GNAC
HOW IT HAPPENED
- The Raiders got the jump on the Pilgrims just 2:33 into the game when Rivier graduate midfielder Madison Streeter (Westminster, Vt.) – a 2022 All-GNAC selection – broke through the NEC defense and took it in herself to put the visitors ahead 1-0. Then with 4:55 to go in the first quarter, it was again Streeter finding the back of the net for her second goal of the game as the first stanza ended with Rivier leading 2-0.
- NEC finally answered 1:12 into the second half when sophomore forward Martina Hill (Abbot, Maine) recovered a saved ball off the Rivier keeper and shot it through for her second goal of the season to cut the deficit to 1-0. Then with 4:52 left in the third, the 'Grims would again capitalize on a putback when NEC freshman forward Kaylyn Trubiano (Keene, N.H.) scored her first career goal to tie the game up at 2-2. Just like that, it was a whole new game for the Pilgrims as they entered the final quarter.
- With 3:50 to go in the game and time winding down for both teams, NEC graduate forward Drea Chin (Laconia, N.H.), last year's leading scorer in the New England Collegiate Conference (NECC), put the 'Grims on her back and tracked down a loose ball off a penalty corner, knocking it through for her first goal of the season to give the home team their first lead of the game.
INSIDE THE NUMBERS
- NEC sophomore goalkeeper Makenzie Anderson (Antrim, N.H.), starting in net at home for the first time in her career, tallied a career-high 11 saves on the night, playing lights out for the final three quarters.
- Rivier junior goalkeeper Kylie Coupal (Derry, N.H.) recorded 13 stops for the Raiders in a heroic effort.
- The Raiders, who went 7-4 last season to claim the fourth seed in the GNAC playoffs,
- NEC graduate forward Mikayla Vincent (Newburyport, Mass.) led all players with eight shots, including three on-goal. River senior forward Kayla Miles (Londonderry, N.H.) had a team-high six shots for the Raiders.
UP NEXT
- NEC is back on the field on Saturday when they travel to Lasell University for another GNAC contest, that coming at 1:00 p.m.
- River plays their next game at Simmons University, that coming on Saturday at 11:00 a.m.
