Postseason Preview: Women’s Ice Hockey Set to Host Framingham St. in MASCAC Quarterfinals Wednesday
NASHUA, N.H. – After securing 13 single-season wins, the most in program history, the Rivier women's ice hockey team earned the No. 3 seed in the inaugural Massachusetts State Collegiate Athletic Conference (MASCAC) Tournament and will face No. 6 seed Framingham St. in the quarterfinal round on Wednesday night at Conway Arena beginning at 8:00 p.m.
Rivier began the season with a 2-7-0 record but turned things around with a five-game winning streak starting with a 3-2 overtime victory against non-conference opponent Salem St. on Dec. 6.
Under the leadership of first-year head coach Marykate Drinkwater, the Raiders closed out the regular season strong, winning seven of their final 11 games.
The Raiders dominated Framingham State throughout the 2024-25 campaign, posting a perfect 3-0-0 record against the Rams. The Raiders outscored the Rams 17-1 over those three contests. After a 10-1 win on the road on Nov. 9, sophomore netminder Taylor Bruno posted a 19-save shutout on Jan. 18 before senior Rachel Symmes recorded a 21-save performance in another shutout effort by Rivier to secure the season-series sweep.
Sophomore forward Rebecca McKelvey led the team in scoring with 26 points (17-9-26), followed by senior forward Breezy Parent (7-9-16) and first-year forward Keegan McGaheran (6-9-15). McKelvey's 26 points rank first in the conference, while her 17 goals place her first in the MASCAC and 11th in the Division III ranks. Six of her goals came on the powerplay, tying her for sixth-most in the country in that statistical category.
Parent also ranks 11th in Division III with 289 faceoff wins. Junior forward Jessica Driscoll finished the regular season with a +18 rating, placing her second in the conference. Defensively, junior duo Jillian Hallee and Molly Dukesherer combined for a +13 rating.
In net, senior goaltender Rachel Hinkley anchored the Raiders with 398 saves, bringing her career total to 1,479. The Swedesboro, N.J. native posted a stellar .943 save percentage, second in the MASCAC and 19th in the nation.
Framingham St. finished its inaugural season with a 1-21-0 (1-14-0 MASCAC) record. First-year forward Sarah Lewis led the Rams with nine points (6-3-9).
The winner of Wednesday's matchup will advance to the MASCAC Semifinals to take on No. 2 seed Worcester St. on Friday, Feb. 28, at 2:50 p.m. at the Worcester Ice Center.
