Women’s Ice Hockey Makes History in 5-2 Win Over MCLA

NASHUA, N.H. – The Rivier women's ice hockey team secured its place in the record books for the most wins in a single season, capping off the 2024-25 regular season with a 5-2 victory over Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts (MCLA) in a Massachusetts State Collegiate Athletic Conference (MASCAC) matchup Saturday evening at Peter W. Foote Vietnam Veterans Memorial Rink.

With the win, the Raiders close out the regular season at 13-10-1 (10-4-1 MASCAC), while the Trailblazers drop to 9-15-1 (3-11-1 MASCAC).

MCLA struck first, finding the back of the net just 3:03 into the first period. Rivier responded late in the frame, tying the game at 1-1 with 50 seconds remaining. Sophomore forward Kayley Young began the sequence by disrupting a Trailblazers' breakout attempt. Sophomore forward Rebecca McKelvey gained control of the loose puck and found junior forward Jessica Driscoll open in the slot, who buried the equalizer.

The Raiders continued to build momentum in the second period, extending their lead to two goals. Their first came on a power-play opportunity at 12:06 when junior defender Jillian Hallee played the puck out of Rivier's zone to an unmarked McKelvey, who fired a shot past the MCLA goaltender for a 2-1 lead. Just over six minutes later, senior forward Ellie Grady controlled the puck in the neutral zone and fed first-year Keegan McGaheran as she entered the offensive zone. McGaheran then delivered a backhanded pass to sophomore forward Tia Picardi, who extended the Raiders' lead to 3-1.

MCLA answered early in the third period, scoring at 3:14 to cut the deficit to 3-2. However, Rivier quickly regained its two-goal cushion. Graduate defender Heather McHatton corralled a loose puck along the boards and connected with McGaheran in front of the net, making it 4-2. At 12:09, first-year defender Alexa Vencill and Driscoll set up senior forward Margaret Smith, who netted her first goal of the season to seal the 5-2 victory.

Senior goaltender Rachel Symmes recorded 27 saves in the win. Driscoll, Hallee, and Picardi each posted a +3 rating, while McKelvey led all skaters with 11 shots. Rivier outshot MCLA 57-29 and held a slight edge in faceoffs, winning 29-28.

With the regular season concluded, Rivier now shifts its focus to the MASCAC postseason. As the No. 3 seed, the Raiders will host No. 6 Framingham State in the quarterfinals Wednesday night at Conway Arena. Puck drop is set for 8 p.m.