NASHUA, N.H. - In a low-scoring affair, Emmanuel sophomore Anna Nichols recorded the last and game-winning tally on Wednesday evening, scoring with 4:06 remaining in the game, helping the Saints to a 6-5 win over the Rivier Raiders on Wednesday afternoon in Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) play from Joanne Merrill Field. The win boosts the Saints to 3-2 (2-0 GNAC), while the Raiders fall to 1-3 (1-1 GNAC) in the loss.

Wednesday's 6-5 game and 11-goal total is the fewest combined goals in a game Emmanuel has played in since March 10, 2022, in a 7-4 loss to Salve Regina. 

Halfway through a player-up advantage and tied at 5-5, the Saints possessed inside the Raiders 12-meter fan. Senior Madeline Wright dished a pass to Nichols at the top of the eight-meter arc. The Saints second-year attack split two defenders and was in alone on goal. Nichols fired a shot from close range, beating the Raiders goalie on the stick side, giving the Saints a 6-5 lead.

Emmanuel trailed by one entering the fourth quarter, but senior Avery Robillard tied the game with 11:07 to go, thanks to a perfect assist by sophomore Ella Stein. Robillard cut into toward goal, finding a soft spot in the Raiders defense, caught the pass from Stein, switched hands, and fired home the game-tying tally.

Neither side held more than a one-goal advantage through the game, as Saints goalie Keira Walsh, and Raiders goalie Arrianna Imbriano both posted strong performances in their respective goals.

Wright finished with a game-high three goals while adding all seven of Emmanuel's draw controls. Stein added a three-point day with one goal and two assists. Walsh made six saves in the Saints net, earning the victory and improving to 3-2 this season.

For the Raiders, Hayleigh Young and Shaelyn Burke both scored a pair of goals. Imbriano made nine saves for the Raiders in the loss.

The Saints are back on Clemente Field on Saturday, March 14, as they play host to Norwich at 3:00 p.m. in GNAC action.