Rivier's Chris Allain (7), who had an assist Saturday, works a faceoff. (Courtesy photo by Kyle Prudhomme/Rivier Athletics)

NASHUA – The Rivier men’s ice hockey team was downed by Anna Maria 6-2 in Massachusetts State College Athletic Conference (MASCAC) play on Saturday night at Conway Arena.

With the result, the Raiders dropped to 1-7 (1-2 MASCAC) while the AMCATS improved to 5-2 (3-0 MASCAC).

HOW IT HAPPENED

The AMCATS opened the scoring 5:13 into the contest. First-year Levi Adcock netted his first collegiate goal off a feed from junior Chris Allain to even the score 30 seconds later.

In the second frame, Anna Maria struck for back-to-back goals, including one on the power play, to carry a 3-1 lead into the final 20 minutes.

Rivier trimmed the deficit, 3-2, at the 4:12 mark of the third as sophomore Brady Bomal buried one off a mis-clear.

The AMCATS added three more in the final seven minutes, including a power-play goal and an empty-netter, to close out the win.

BOX SCORE BREAKDOWN

Anna Maria outshot Rivier 69-33…Sophomore Josh Kirton recorded 33 saves in the net…First-year Payton Kender led the team with three blocked shots.

UP NEXT

The Raiders return to action Tuesday in a non-conference matchup against Saint Anselm, puck drop at 7:30 p.m.

WOMEN’S HOCKEY

RIVIER 4, ANNA MARIA 1

The Raiders enjoyed for their second consecutive Massachusetts State Collegiate Athletic Conference (MASCAC) victory, this time in Worcester, Mass. With the win, the Raiders improved to 4-3-0 (4-1-0 MASCAC), while the AMCATS fell to 1-4-1 (1-2-1 MASCAC).

Both squads battled in the opening period, but neither team was able to convert when the horn sounded. Rivier outshot Anna Maria 10-5 in the frame.

The Raiders broke the deadlock 1:18 into second period as sophomore Keegan McGaheran lit the lamp on a feed from first-year Casey Roth.

The AMCATS leveled the score just past the nine-minute mark on an even chance opportunity. First-year Lexi Davies connected with junior Tia Picardi for the final tally of the second period just 1:20 after the game tying goal to regain the lead for Rivier.

The Raiders recorded their third score 47 seconds into the third period. First-year Mary Kelley found the back of the net off assists from senior Olivia Schultz and first-year Chloe Bryda.

Senior Jessica Driscoll fired home the game’s final tally on an empty net chance to seal the game.

As a team the Raiders outshot Anna Maria 45-23…Driscoll led the team with eight shots along with her second goal of the season…Senior Jillian Hallee, first-year Maeve Kelly, and Schultz each led the team with two blocked shots.

In net, junior Taylor Bruno stopped 22 of the 23 shots she faced.

The Raiders return to the Conway Arena ice Tuesday for a 4 p.m. non-conference clash with New England College.

MEN’S BASKETBALL

HARTFORD 76, RIVIER 72

The Raiders came up short in a non-conference matchup Saturday at Chase Arena in West Hartford, Conn. With the loss, the Raiders dropped to 3-4 on the season, while Hartford improved to 3-1.

Hartford struck first with back-to-back threes to grab an early 6-0 lead, but Rivier answered quickly as junior Theo Briscoe IV buried a triple to get the Raiders on the board.

From that point on, both teams competed at a back-and-forth pace, with the Raiders holding an 11-10 advantage off the back of another three from Brisco IV. Midway through the first half, Hartford’s perimeter shooting pushed the lead to 19-13, but Rivier responded with a 10-4 run sparked by yet another Briscoe IV three and a deep ball from junior Jamari Williams.

Sophomore Matt Youngquist added a clutch three-pointer at 4:54, and senior Robenson Baguidy added a transition bucket to tie the game up at 29.

Williams capped the half with a dunk, but Hartford closed the half with two quick layups to take a 37-34 edge into the break.

The second half opened with the Raiders tying the game as a result of layups from Baguidy and Youngquist. Hartford answered with a 12-0 surge to take an 11-point lead at 14:51 in the second half.

Rivier stayed within striking distance thanks to timely threes from sophomore Steph Barnes, Youngquist, and Williams, and strong inside play from first-year Daylen Dalcour, whose layup at 4:09 cut the deficit to 71-66.

Baguidy’s layup with 1:42 remaining made it a one-possession game at 71-70, but Hartford responded with key free throws final minute to seal the 76-72 victory.

Baguidy led the Raiders with 18 points, 9 assists, and 3 steals.

Youngquist added 15 points and 7 rebounds. Williams contributed 12 points and 8 rebounds, seven of which were on the defensive glass. Briscoe finished with 9 points on 3 triples, while Dalcour posted 8 points and 7 rebounds.

Senior Izaiah Shaw-Glen finished with 7 points, 4 rebounds, and a block.

The Raiders return to action Tuesday to face non-conference intrastate rivals Plymouth St. Tip-off is set for 7 p.m. at the Muldoon Center.

WOMEN’S BASKETBALL

NICHOLS 65, RIVIER 45

The Raiders dropped to 0-6 on the season, while Nichols improved to 4-1.

Sophomore Sydney Perry opened scoring with a layup, but Nichols went on a run until sophomore Gianna Donato knocked down a three with 3:16 to play in the opening frame to keep Rivier within nine. Nichols’ early first-quarter lead kept them in front 22-13 after one .

The Bison continued their strong play in the second quarter, outscoring Rivier 19-11 to take a 41-24 lead into halftime.

Graduate student Juju Nealy was the leading scorer for the Raiders in the second quarter, recording seven points. Junior Erika Fantauzzi and Donato each added a bucket in the frame.

The Bison extended their lead in the third quarter with a 16-2 run to start the frame. Junior Haley Phillips put the run on hold, knocking down a jumper to make the score 57-28.

The Raiders closed out the contest with their best offensive stretch, outscoring Nichols 15-8

Fantauzzi and Nealy paced the offense with eight and four points, respectively. However, Nichols’ early cushion proved too much as the Bison secured the 65-45 victory.

BOX SCORE BREAKDOWN

Nealy led the Raiders with 11 points, adding four rebounds and three assists.

Fantauzzi followed with 10 points on 57.1% shooting and four steals, while Perry chipped in eight points and seven rebounds.

Donato contributed six points and seven boards, and sophomore Hannah Smith and first-year Madi Ricker pulled down eight rebounds for a game-high

The Raiders return to action Tuesday for a non-conference intrastate clash with Plymouth St. Tip-off is set for 5 p.m. at the Muldoon Center.