Postseason Preview: Women’s Ice Hockey Heads to Worcester St. for Friday’s MASCAC Semifinals

WORCESTER, Mass. – After securing a 5-1 victory over No. 6 Framingham St. in Wednesday night's Massachusetts State Collegiate Athletic Conference (MASCAC) Quarterfinals, the No. 3 seed Rivier women's ice hockey team will travel to face off against No. 2 Worcester St. in the semifinal round on Friday, Feb. 28 with a 2:50 p.m. puck drop scheduled at the Worcester Ice Center.

The MASCAC's leading goal and point scorer, sophomore forward Rebecca McKelvey, had a point on all five Rivier goals in the opening round of the inaugural MASCAC Tournament, scoring twice while adding three assists. Senior forward Breezy Parent added two goals and an assist while junior defender Jillian Hallee assisted on three Raider goals. Senior netminder Rachel Hinkley continued her impressive season between the pipes with a 21-save outing in the victory.

The Raiders, who have recorded the most wins in program history with 14, will face off against the Lancers for the fourth time this season. The two programs have faced off 13 times dating back to the Raiders' inaugural season in 2021-22 with Worcester St. leading the all-time series with a 9-1-3 record. Rivier is 1-4-1 when facing the Lancers in Worcester, including last season's 2-1 overtime loss in the Eastern Collegiate Hockey Alliance (ECHA) Championship.

Worcester St. earned the second seed in the tournament and a first-round bye after posting a 13-10-2 overall record with a 10-3-2 league ledger. The Lancers are 7-4-2 when skating on home ice this season. Worcester St. is led by first-year forward Emily Johns who has 20 points in 25 games played with 12 goals to her credit, including three game-winners. Junior goalie Kelsey Czerniawski posted an 8-5-2 record with a .957 save percentage, the best in the conference.

The winner of Friday's clash will face off against the winner of No. 1 Plymouth St. and No. 4 Anna Maria on Friday, March 4 in the title game.