Nashua, N.H. – A late comeback by the Regis College women's lacrosse team fell just short, as the Pride lost a close one to Rivier University, 15-14 on Tuesday evening in the opening game of the 2013 season for both teams. The duo of sophomore Grace Politis (Billerica, Mass.) and freshman Sam Salamone (Milford, Mass.) combined for 12 of the Pride's goals in the losing effort.

Just 1:02 into the opening half, Regis took the first lead of the game off of a goal by Salamone, who would finish the night with 6 goals, 2 assists, and a game-high 16 ground balls. Just a minute and a half later, Rivier answered with a goal by Jessica Amaral (East Providence, R.I.). The junior would lead the Raiders with 5 goals, 3 assists and 13 ground balls on the night.

Salamone notched her second goal of the night 3:50 into the game to put Regis up 2-1. But once again, Rivier brought the game even on Rebecca Wickens' (Tyngsboro, Mass.) first of four goals on the night. Over the next two minutes, Regis would take the lead again after goals from Politis and junior Andrea Barbosa (Taunton, Mass.). Politis would end with 6 tallies and one assist on the evening.

Rivier would tie the game again after Lauren Brett's (Otisfield, Maine) first goal and Amaral's second on the man up opportunity. In the final four minutes, both teams would exchange goals until the final seconds of the half, which saw the score deadlocked at 8-8.

Less than half a minute out of the break, Salamone would score her fifth goal of the night from a Barbosa assist. Rivier would respond by rattling off three straight goals, a major turning point in the game, and they would lead for the rest of the contest. Regis came within a goal with the score 11-10, but almost directly off the draw control win, Wickens used her speed to get to the net and score her fourth goal of the night. The teams would exchange goals for the next ten minutes to bring the score to 15-12.

Salamone and Politis scored 26 seconds apart within the last minutes of the game to cut the deficit to one, 15-14, but was unable to tally the equalizer before time expired.

Regis will play their next game next on Saturday, March 9, when they will face the University of Dallas in Texas at 3:30 p.m., while Rivier returns to action in two weeks when they will travel to Framingham State University on March 13 for a 4:00 p.m. game.

Release courtesy of Rivier Sports Information