Rivier Edges Past Women's Ice Hockey, 2-0

NASHUA, N.H. – The MCLA Women's Ice Hockey team traveled up to Rivier University this afternoon for a MASCAC matinee with the Raiders at the Conway Arena. With only 11 dressed skaters, the Trailblazers faced an uphill battle against an opponent with a full complement of weapons available, in what would eventually be a 2-0 win for the host Raiders.

THE BASICS:

• Date: Tuesday, February 11, 2025
• Score: MCLA 0, Rivier 2
• Records: MCLA Trailblazers 9-11-0 (MASCAC 3-7-0) | Rivier University Raiders 10-9-1 (MASCAC 7-3-1)
• Series History: Rivier leads the all-time series 4-1, including a 3-1 MCLA win on February 18, 2024. Rivier won the teams' first meeting, 3-0 on January 26, 2024.

HOW IT HAPPENED

• Following a scoreless opening period that skewed slightly to the Rivier side with a 12-4 advantage in shots, but was rather clean as the only penalty was also called on the Raiders
• In the second period, the longer bench for Rivier started to show through against a Trailblazers team playing their third game in five days, and doing so with only eleven skaters, in the form of a 20-9 advantage in shots during the second stanza. With just over five minutes remaining in the second frame, the Raiders finally broke through with the game's first goal, with Breezy Parent (at 14:45, assisted by Rebecca McKelvey and Jessica Driscoll).
• Three and a half minutes into the third period, Parent (3:30, Grace Arsenault) duplicated the feat putting Rivier up 2-0.
• MCLA had an opportunity to cut into that lead after a Raider skater was called for a five-minute major for roughing, and given a 10 minute game misconduct penalty. That five minute stretch with the man advantage helped the Trailblazers cut into the lopsided shot count, but Rivier's Rachel Symmes was up to the task, stopping all 18 shots she faced in the third period as part of a 31 save performance.
• Symmes picked up the win to even her record at 3-3-1. For MCLA, sophomore goalie Kaitlyn O'Brien (Ridley Park, PA / Philadelphia Jr. Flyers), it was a tough luck loss to drop her record to 4-5-0 after stopping 37 of 39 shots.

INSIDE THE NUMBERS

• Shots: MCLA 31, Rivier 39
• Saves: MCLA 37, Rivier 31
• Faceoffs Won: MCLA 27, Rivier 33
• Penalty/Minutes: MCLA 1/2:00, Rivier 4/19:00
• Power Plays: MCLA 0 for 3, Rivier 0 for 1

UP NEXT:

On Friday, MCLA will be back in action when it travels to Worcester State for a MASCAC matchup with the Lancers at the Fidelity Bank Worcester Ice Center. The puck will drop at 4:40 p.m.

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