Skip To Main Content
Skip To Main Content

New England College

Cristina Manzi
Photo: Frank Poulin
Cristina Manzi
4
Winner New England Col. NEW ENGL (11-3, 6-2)
3
Rivier RIVIER (5-9, 3-6)
Winner
New England Col. NEW ENGL
(11-3, 6-2)
4
Final
3
Rivier RIVIER
(5-9, 3-6)
Score By Periods
Team 1 2 3 4 F
New England Col. NEW ENGL 1 0 2 1 4
Rivier RIVIER 0 0 1 2 3

Game Recap: Field Hockey |

Field Hockey Stuns Rivier on Manzi’s Buzzer Beating Game-Winner

NASHUA, N.H. - The New England College field hockey team pulled off a memorable 4-3 victory over Rivier University in Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) action on Wednesday evening at the Joanne Merrill Field in Nashua, New Hampshire. 

THE BASICS 
Score: New England College 4, Rivier University 3 
Records: Pilgrims 11-3, 6-2 GNAC | Raiders 5-9, 3-6 GNAC 

HOW IT HAPPENED 

  • With 5:38 to go in the first quarter, an NEC corner quickly turned into a prime scoring opportunity. The ball ended up in possession of junior forward Cristina Manzi (Peapack, N.J.) just inside the half-circle, and Manzi sent a strike on net that was first deflected by the Rivier keeper before being picked up by junior forward Martina Hill (Abbot, Maine). Hill quickly relocated the ball into the back of the Raiders net to take an early 1-0 lead with 5:30 left in the opening period. 
  • The two teams would combine for only four other shots on goal for the remainder of the first half as each defense clamped down on the opposing offense to bring a 1-0 NEC lead into the halftime break. 
  • In the opening minute of the second half, a steal by Manzi provided a fast break for the 'Grims and Manzi passed the ball ahead to senior midfielder Meaghan McCamish (Warwick, R.I.). McCamish found sophomore forward Adelaide Kelly (Rockport, Maine) open in the middle of the field and Kelly would go to work; Kelly navigated around three Rivier defenders before slapping a shot just off the goalkeeper's leg and into the net to double the NEC lead to 2-0. 
  • Just over two minutes later, the Raiders would get on the board with their first goal of the evening. Rivier's Madison Bovill (Tyngsborough, Mass.) sent a strong pass directly in front of the NEC net and Reilly Swislosky (Webster, N.H.) was able to control a loose ball and beat the defense to reduce the lead to one. 
  • Looking for a response, the Pilgrims would regain a two-goal lead with 7:53 to go in the third quarter, as McCamish answered the bell with her team-leading 12th goal of the season. Graduate forward Drea Chin (Laconia, N.H.) was credited with the assist, finding McCamish for an impressive deflection to make it a 3-1 game. 
  • With 5:33 remaining in the fourth quarter, the Raiders showed some fight with the game hanging in the balance. Rivier would convert off what seemed to be a broken penalty corner sequence with Chloe Sicard (Salem, Mass.) ultimately scoring a goal to bring the hosts within a goal. 
  • Rivier would search for the equalizing goal in the final minutes of the game and be granted a penalty corner just under the 90-second mark. The ball would be inserted to Swislosky at the top of the half-circle and the junior would send a snipe past the NEC defense to tie the game up at 3-3 with just 1:23 left in the game. 
  • After back-to-back goals by the Raiders, overtime looked to be a certainty in this intra-state GNAC battle. But the 'Grims were battling as the clock neared zero, eventually earning a penalty corner with just 0:01 left on the clock. Chin received the ball at the top of the play and quickly found Manzi on the left side. Manzi rifled in a shot and, with nothing but zeroes remaining on the scoreboard, scored the miraculous game-winning goal. Manzi's late-game heroics would send the 'Grims home with a 4-3 win in dramatic fashion. 

INSIDE THE NUMBERS 

  • Junior goalkeeper Makenzie Anderson (Antrim, N.H.) made four saves in the win. Opposite Anderson, Rivier's Kylie Coupal (Derry, N.H.) compiled four saves for the Raiders. 
  • Offensive output was similar for both squads, as the 'Grims had eight shots-on-goal while the Raiders had seven. NEC earned nine penalty corners to Rivier's five. 
  • Manzi's game-winning goal is unofficially the latest goal scored in regulation in program history. However, department record books can neither confirm nor deny this record. 
  • McCamish has been great for the 'Grims, scoring goals in three consecutive games. NEC won all three matchups, two of which were decided by just one goal.  
  • With her two assists on the night, Chin's nine helpers lead the entire GNAC at press time.
  • With the team's three straight wins, the Pilgrims have jumped up to fourth in the GNAC standings with four conference games left on the schedule. 

UP NEXT 

  • NEC is back on the field on Saturday when they host Simmons University for a 1:00 PM rematch of last season's quarterfinal matchup where the Pilgrims outlasted the Sharks for a 2-1 win. 
  • Rivier plays their next game at home on Saturday against the University of Saint Joseph at 12:00 PM. 

For continuing coverage of New England College Athletics, visit athletics.nec.edu and follow the Pilgrims on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and TikTok.  

Print Friendly Version