Worcester, MA- In a flashback to the ECHA finals of last year the Worcester State Lancers hosted the Rivier Raiders this afternoon in the MASCAC Semifinals. So far this season the Lancers have claimed three wins on the Raiders, but not without some strong competition, with two of the three games going into overtime, and one being decided by shootout. This matchup looked to keep the same intensity of the last four meetings between these two programs as last year's championship found the two teams meeting in overtime before Worcester State claimed the golden goal Championship victory.

Final

Rivier: 1

Worcester State: 0

How it Happened:

In this MASCAC semifinal game, we would see the #2 Worcester State Lancers match up against the #3 Rivier Raiders. In the first ten minutes of the period, both teams' defenses would start off clicking, making it difficult for their opposition to create quality chances on the net. With about seven minutes left in the period, the game would see its first power play opportunity, this one in favor of the Lancers as a result of a roughing penalty. Worcester State would construct decent opportunities but would be shut down by a tough Raiders defense and the goaltending of senior Rachel Hinkley (Swedesboro, NJ). The first period would come to a scoreless end with the Raiders outshooting the Lancers 11-8. 

The second period found both teams attempting to get the upper hand through intensity and aggression. At the 12 minute mark, the game would see a gilt-edged opportunity where there would be a scramble for the puck on the Lancers' goal line but ultimately would be cleared out keeping the score at 0s. Once that play finished, the game would ramp up in intensity for the next two minutes due to a combination of roughing penalties. Shortly after Worcester State would lose another skater and Rivier would take on the power play opportunity. Despite the adversity for both teams, the score would still be tied with less than half the second period left to play. The Lancers and Raiders would continue to battle hard but the second would still finish 0-0 with both goaltenders Hinkley and junior Kelsey Czerniawski (Chicopee, MA.) keeping a perfect save percentage. 

The third for both squads would resume the intensity that was paused in the second in an attempt to put an end to the stalemate. After ten minutes the Lancers and Raiders would construct solid opportunities but neither team would be rewarded for their efforts on the scoreboard. With one minute left in the period the Raiders would break the deadlock with a goal scored by senior Forward Briana Paxson (Eagle River, Alaska), who slipped the puck just past Czerniawski, which was assisted by first year Keegan McGaheran (Potsdam, NY). Worcester would elect to pull their keeper for the remainder of the action, but was unable to force the overtime as Rivier advances to the inaugural MASCAC Championship next Friday with location still to be determined with the #4 Anna Maria heading to #1 Plymouth State for a 6pm start tonight.