Moran Nets First Collegiate Goal, AMCATS Post 4-2 Win

PAXTON, Mass.  – Junior Nichole Lowe (Saugus, Mass.) had a goal and two assists as the Anna Maria College women's field hockey team defeated Rivier University by a score of 4-2 tonight at AMCAT field. With the win, Anna Maria improves their record to 2-3 while Rivier drops their first of the season, evening their record at 1-1. 

AMCAT freshman Kaitlyn Moran (Leicester, Mass.) also had a multiple point game, chipping in with a goal and an assist; both were the first of her collegiate career.   Also adding goals tonight were sophomores Kayla Lapierre (Worcester, Mass.) and Kylie Dalbec (Portland, ME) with one a piece. 

The AMCATS took a 1-0 lead when Lapierre tipped a cross pass from  Lowe into an open net. It was Lapierre's 3^rd goal of the season.  At the 29 minute mark, Rivier freshman Brittani Garza (Alexandria, VA) scored the first goal of her collegiate career, knotting the score at 1-1. 

Three minutes after River tied the score, AMCAT freshman Kaitlyn Moran scored her first, an unassisted goal that was hammered into the back of the Raider net.  It looked like Anna Maria would take the lead into the break, but Rivier freshman Nicole Hauer (North Attleboro, Mass.) would score her second goal of the season, with less than a minute remaining, sending the teams to halftime tied at 2. 

The Anna Maria offense had a sizable advantage in shots through the first half, and they came out strong at the start of the second.  Nichole Lowe scored 35 seconds into the second half, tipping home a blast from Kaitlyn Moran to give the AMCATS a 3-2 lead.    

Junior Makenzie Flagg (Shirley, Mass.) had a strong game in net for the Raiders, keeping the game close in the second half while racking up 17 saves. 

Anna Maria continued their pressure down field and made it a 4-2 game after Kylie Dalbec scored her fifth goal of the season, capitalizing on a nice feed from Nichole Lowe.   Sophomore goaltender Mary Kate Breen (Londonderry, NH) closed out the game with 2 saves, earning her second win of the season. 

Anna Maria returns to action on Thursday evening when they host Worcester State University at 7:00 pm, while Rivier University returns home to host Fitchburg State University on Thursday evening at 7:00 pm.