Rivier's Haylie Grossmann looks to shoot during Friday night's MASCAC Championship Game vs. Worcester State in Worcester, Mass. (Courtesy photo by Katie Morrison-O'Day/Rivier Athletics)

WORCESTER, Mass. – It was deja vu, and not in a good way for the Rivier University women’s hockey team.

In the previous three games the Raiders had played vs. Worcester State, they were either tied or ahead going into the third period and lost.

Friday night, that theme repeated itself at the worst possible time: the MASCAC Championship Game.

The Raiders were up 2-1 after two periods but fell 3-2 at the hands of the Lancers at the Worcester Ice Arena. It’s the third year in a row, unfortunately, that the Raiders have lost by a goal in a conference final.

The Lancers’ Leyla Tiernan scored twice, her second goal tying things at 2 at the 6:55 mark of the third period on the power play. Madelyn Franta, who assisted on Tiernan’s tying goal, deflected a shot by Avery Ireland past Raider goalie Taylor Bruno (44 saves) just 3:17 later for what proved to be the game-winner.

“I thought we worked hard for 60 minutes, calls didn’t go our way, little ticky-tack penalties at times,” Raiders coach Mary Kate Drinkwater said. “I thought our effort was outstanding. I thought everybody had a role and contributed in their role, and excelled in their role.”

The Raiders conclude a strong season at 17-10 — the most wins in the program’s history — while WSU was 18-9.

Following a back-and-forth opening as both teams jockeyed for possession, the Raiders struck first. Junior Haylie Grossmann did just enough to keep the puck alive at the blue line before sliding a pass to sophomore Keegan McGaheran, who fired from the left circle and slipped the puck glove side to give Rivier a 1-0 lead with 6:31 remaining in the opening period.

Rivier killed off a penalty midway through the second frame, but Worcester St. kept the pressure on in the offensive zone. After Bruno denied two Lancer chances from in close, Leyla Tiernan eventually found the equalizer, firing home the tying goal at the 11:15 mark.

The Raiders regained the lead just five minutes later as senior Olivia Schultz caught the Lancers’ defensive line deep and set up a 2-on-1, finding first-year Marina Bassett. Bassett then delivered a backhanded pass to first-year Chloe Bryda, who finished from the slot to give Rivier a 2-1 advantage heading into the second intermission.

But they just weren’t able to hold on.

“We played with a lead a little bit, and that can be tough in a big game, understanding the game, understanding momentum,” Drinkwater said. “But I’m proud of them, and so happy to be their coach.”

Rivier did just about everything it wanted this season, except beat the Lancers, whom they did eliminate a year ago in the semis before losing an epic MASCAC final to Plymouth State in four overtimes.

“This season, I think we broke the record for most wins in a regular season, which is great,” Drinkwater said. “The milestones we’re reaching are just insane. I had two people reach 100 career games, and that is not an easy task….

“The seniors did a great job, especially with a young team. I thought the five seniors led in great ways. All the freshmen jumped on board, which is great. And everybody in between did all the right things.”

And now the program will look to forge ahead. The Raiders should be contenders again next season.

“We’re young, I’m excited for our future,” Drinkwater said. “I’m excited to see what growth we’re going to have and I have no doubt we’ll be back here next year.”

(Rivier Athletics Communications Director Matt Lopez contributed to this report.)