NASHUA, N.H. - Senior defender Sara Rademacher (North Haven, Conn.) became the school's career games played leader as the Simmons College women's lacrosse team fell a goal short in a 13-12 loss to host Rivier University in a Great Northeast Athletic Conference contest this evening at Raider Field in Nashua, N.H. The Sharks fall to 5-9 overall and 2-4 in conference play, while the Raiders improve to 3-10 and 1-5.

Simmons owned a 37-25 shot advantage, but Rivier converted on five of nine free position opportunities and took advantage of 48 fouls by the Sharks.

Rademacher played her 59th career match, surpassing Symonne Fontenot (2012-15) and Ashley Sheehan (2013-16) for the most games played for the Sharks. Sophomomore midfielder Elena Bragg (Belmont, Mass.) led Simmons with four goals and an assist to go with three ground balls, one draw control and a caused turnover, while sophomore defender Mallory Cottam (Hope, R.I.) matched her career-best with three goals in addition to two ground balls and a pair of draw controls. Sophomore middie Ana Giarrusso (Hingham, Mass.) also netted three goals to go with six ground balls, three draw controls and a caused turnover. Junior Chyenne Yeager (Indiana, Pa.) made seven saves for the Sharks.

First year attacker Sally Kennedy (Billerica, Mass.) fueled the Raiders with six points on four goals and two assists in addition to three draw controls, while first year midfielder Amanda Barton (Pelham, N.H.) scored three times and added five draw controls and two ground balls. Sophomore midfielder Ashley Leal (Tyngsboro, Mass.) contributed with two goals, an assist and two draw controls. Sophomore goalie Courtney Laperriere (Keene, N.H.) stopped a season-high 21 shots for Rivier.

The Raiders opened the match by scoring four of the first five goals in the first 11 minutes of play, led by first year attacker Sally Kennedy (Billerica, Mass.), who netted three markers. Sophomores Mallory Cottam (Hope, R.I.) and Ana Giarrusso (Hingham, Mass.) each scored for Simmons to cut the deficit to 4-3, but Rivier scored the final three goals of the half to take a 7-3 advantage into the intermission. First year midfielder Amanda Barton (Pelham, N.H.) found the back of the net twice during the string for the home team.

The Sharks scored three of the first four goals to open the second stanza, including a goal from junior attacker Kiera Kirkaldy (Middlebury, Vt.) on a feed from sophomore midfielder Elena Bragg (Belmont, Mass.) to pull the visitors to within 8-6 with 21:14 to play in the half. First year attacker Kayla Foye (Billerica, Mass.) and Barton each scored to increase the Raiders' lead to 10-6, but Simmons ripped off three straight goals, including a pair from Bragg to cut the margin to 10-9 with 16:54 showing on the second half clock. 

Rivier looked to put some distance between itself and its guests with a 3-1 run, capped by a goal from first year attacker Jennifer Hamilton (Belmont, N.H.) to take a 13-10 lead with 5:27 to play in the match. The Sharks made a final comeback attempt with Bragg finding the back of the net at 4:28 and junior attacker Kasey Fries (Bridgewater, Mass.) scoring her team-high 36th goal with 88 seconds remaining in the game to bring Simmons to within 13-12. It turned out to be the final score of the night as the Raiders came away with the win.

Simmons returns to action on Saturday, April 22 when it hosts GNAC rival Mount Ida College at Daly Field for an 11:00 a.m. match, while Rivier heads to West Hartford, Conn. on the same day to take on University of Saint Joseph at 1:00 p.m.