Dinger, Nogueira, Rhoades Lead Women's Lax in Win Over Rivier

NASHUA, N.H. – The University of Saint Joseph (USJ) women's lacrosse team put together a career day Saturday afternoon against the Raiders of Rivier University (RIV), taking an 18-15 decision at Joanne Merrill Field in a critical Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) match. With the win, the Blue Jays improve to 6-9 overall on the season and 4-7 in conference play, while Rivier dips to 3-9 overall and 2-8 in the league.

GAME INFORMATION
Score: Saint Joseph 18, Rivier 15
Records: USJ 6-9 (4-7 GNAC), RIV 3-9 (2-8 GNAC)
Location: Joanne Merrill Field | Nashua, N.H.

Junior Makenzie Dinger (Hingham, Mass.), sophomore midfielder Ana Nogueira (Trumbull, Conn.), and freshman attack Morgan Rhoades (Windsor, Conn.) all set single-game career-highs in goals in the triumph. Dinger led the way with 10, while Nogueira added five, and Rhoades netted three. A pair of Raiders scored four goals each, including freshman attack Rachel Hinkley (Swedesboro, N.J.), who finished with five. Dinger now currently has a GNAC-best 77 goals on the season and has 92 for her career.

The Blue Jays had at least three goals in all four periods, with Dinger and Hinkley each trading the first five. Both teams exchanged the lead multiple times, with Rivier taking a 5-3 advantage early in the second quarter. Then Nogueira stepped in, slicing and scoring back-to-back goals before Dinger and Rhoades got a piece of the action to make it four-straight goals for the visitors to go up 7-5.

Rivier fought back and scored four of the next five themselves to regain the lead in a tremendous back-and-forth battle, 9-8. Later in the third period, USJ down 12-11, business picked up for the Blue Jays, who were hungry for a win. Dinger single-handedly scored five consecutive goals, including three consecutive free position goals to put the Blue Jays ahead for good. Dinger has already torched the Blue Jays' single-season record of 51 goals earlier this season. She is aiming for 100 for her career with two games remaining in the 2022 regular season.

Saint Joseph and Rivier traded goals the rest of the way as the Blue Jays held on for their second win in the month of April.

COACH QUOTE [Karen Nell]
"Today was a huge game for us. It was a testament to the gritty play of our team. Between aggressive defense, draw controls, career-high goal scoring, it was all part of the formula for victory. I am very proud of what we accomplished."

GOALIE BREAKDOWN

USJ – Senior goalkeeper and captain Nina Lestrud (Torrington, Conn.) improved to 6-9 on the season with a 16-save, 60-minute performance, allowing 15 goals.

RIV – Sophomore stopper Lindsey Kruger (New Bedford, Mass.) took the loss (3-9), allowing 18 goals and making eight saves in a complete 60 minutes of action.

UP NEXT
The Blue Jays prepare for the final home match of the 2022 season; a battle with the Sharks of Simmons College on the USJ Lacrosse Field on Senior Day. The action takes place on Saturday, April 23 at 3:00 p.m., part of a doubleheader with the men's lacrosse team, who plays Saint Joseph's Maine at 6:00 p.m. for its Senior Day. Fans can head to www.usjbluejays.com to follow all the action from start to finish.

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