BOSTON, Mass. -- Simmons Lacrosse took a three-goal lead with ten minutes to play but the Rivier University Raiders (7-7, 5-4 GNAC) chipped away and Amanda Wickens scored on a free position shot with less than a minute to play to defeat the Sharks 14-13 in Great Northeast Athletic Conference action Tuesday evening in the pouring rain.
The Sharks (6-6, 5-4 GNAC) were led by sophomore Ashley Sheehan (North Attlebor, Mass.) who tallied six goals and Stephanie Oliveri (Waltham, Mass.), who added two goals and three assists on the evening.
With the game tied at five after halftime, the Sharks jumped out to a two-goal lead as Oliveri and Sheehan beat Raiders goalkeeper Danielle Moran. Paxton LaRocque and Greer Gilbert (Falmouth, Mass.) swapped goals before Rivier scored two by LaRocque and Rebecca Wickens to even the score at eight. Alexia Malone Oliver (Bristol, R.I.) put the Sharks back on top with 18:41 to play but Jessica Amaral struck just forty seconds later for the tie.
The Sharks took the largest lead of the night with three-straight goals by Oliveri, Sheehan and senior Becca Shea (Quincy, Mass.). Amanda Wickens beat Sharks goalkeeper Crystal Derosier (Kingston, Mass.) twice and Amaral buried a shot from the top of the eight to knot the game at 12.
Sheehan scored her sixth goal unassisted with 4:42 to play but the Raiders won the draw and LaRocque scored the equalizer with 2:37 remaining. Rivier was awarded a free position shot with 53 seconds to play and Amanda Wickens capitalized for the game winner, 14-13.
The Sharks return to action on Saturday, Apr. 19 at Saint Joseph's College (Me.) at 4:00 PM for their final regular season game. The Raiders continue their play on the road at Anna Maria College on Apr. 17. The GNAC playoffs begin on Tuesday, Apr. 22.