The Rivier University softball team, shown during warmer times last season, is ranked second in the GNAC preseason poll. (Photo courtesy of Rivier Athletics)

NASHUA — Following the best season the program has had since 2012, the Rivier softball team was selected as the No. 2 seed in the Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) North Division Coaches’ Preseason Poll, the conference announced Friday afternoon.

The Raiders totaled 79 points in the poll, including four first-place votes. Simmons edged them out with 81 points and three first-place nods.

Under second-year head coach Noelle Sass, Rivier earned the No. 1 seed in the North Division after posting a 21-13 overall mark and a 13-3 record in GNAC play. The Raiders surged into the postseason on a seven-game winning streak, securing the opportunity to host GNAC Pod Play for just the second time in program history.

Rivier kicked off pod play with a thrilling 5-4, 10-inning walk-off win over Saint Joseph’s (Me.). The following day, the Raiders suffered a narrow 5-4 loss to No. 2 Saint Joseph (Conn.) and later fell to No. 3 Albertus Magnus, ending their postseason campaign and historic season.

Senior infielder Kylee Caetano headlined Rivier’s postseason honors, earning a spot on the GNAC First Team. The New Bedford, Mass. native started all 34 games for the Raiders, posting a .369 batting average, .492 slugging percentage, and .426 on-base percentage. She tallied 45 hits, eight doubles, 27 RBI, and 28 runs scored in the season.

Rivier kicks off its regular season at the Space Coast Spring Games in Melbourne, Fla., facing UW-Superior on Monday, March 9.

WOMEN’S HOCKEY

RIVIER 1, MCLA 0 (Forfeit)

The Raiders were the benefits of a forfeit vs. MCLA, in a game that was originally scheduled for Friday at Conway Arena. The Rams evidently stopped playing after a loss on Jan.24 vs. Worcester State and forfeited the rest of their schedule.

As a result, the Raiders head into today’s regular season finale/MASCAC showdown at Worcester State at 16-8 overall, 11-3 MASCAC. WSU is likely the top seed in the upcoming MASCAC tourney that begins next Friday, Feb. 27 with the semifinals. The finals are March 6.

(Telegraph Staff Writer Tom King contributed to this report.)