The Raiders couldn't get untracked in their season opener on Froday night at Conway Arena. (Photo courtesy of Rivier Athletics)

NASHUA – The Rivier women’s hockey team fell to non-conference opponents, No. 10 Nazareth, 4-0, in their season opener at Conway Arena

With the loss, the Raiders begin the season 0-1, while the Golden Flyers start 1-0

HOW IT HAPPENED

Nazareth controlled the pace of play through the opening minutes of the first period; however, Rivier’s defense held strong, denying all 11 shots faced in the first 6:30 of the frame.

The Raiders’ best chance came on a breakaway by first-year Casey Roth, dangling past two defenders and firing a shot on target, but was turned away last second to keep the game deadlocked, 0-0.

The Golden Flyers broke the deadlock with 4:33 remaining in the first period, with the score remaining the same heading into the first intermission. Nazareth carried their momentum over into the second period, netting two more goals in the late stages of the second period. The Golden Flyers capped off the scoring just shy of the five-minute mark in the final stanza, sealing the match 4-0

BOX SCORE BREAKDOWN

Junior Taylor Bruno recorded 60 saves in her season debut. Five Raiders each recorded a shot on target

UP NEXT

The Raiders return to the ice Saturday, Nov. 1, for a non-conference matchup with Western New England. The opening face-off is scheduled for 5 p.m. at the Olympia Ice Center.

MEN’S HOCKEY

JWU 5, RIVIER 2

With the non-conference opponent loss at Lynch Arena the Raiders fell to 0-1, while the Wildcats improved to 1-0.

The Wildcats opened the scoring 12 minutes into the first period.

First-year Payton Kender responded a minute later with his first collegiate goal, a power-play tally assisted by classmate Aaron Sawicki, to even the score at 1-1.

JWU regained the lead one minute into the second period on a power play.

Sophomore Michael Caparco tallied a goal five minutes into the second, assisted by sophomore Damon Kiyawasew and junior Devon Jolley.

The Wildcats added two more goals to close out the second period, taking a 4-2 lead into the final frame. JWU added one more goal to seal the game, seven minutes into the third period.

JWU narrowly outshot Rivier, 29-30 while the Raiders controlled faceoffs 34-32. Junior Mason Meyer recorded 25 saves in-between the pipes.

The Raiders are back in action tonight when they host New England College at Conway Arena. Puck drop is scheduled for 7 p.m. as the team celebrates Family Night in its home opener.