Just in its second season as a MASCAC sport, Worcester State etched their name in the history books as the champions of the 2026 MASCAC Women’s Ice Hockey Tournament.
How it Happened:
It was an exciting start for the Lancers and Rivier that lived up to their history. Each team battled for possession and chances while neither gave up any penalties in the opening period. Rivier would produce more chances recording 17 shots to the Lancers 12, and had a number of near goals as they worked senior Kelsey Czerniawski (Chicopee, MA) in the cage. A lucky bounce off Czerniawski’s shoulder would find sophomore Keegan McGaheran (Potsdam, NY) slipping in the first goal after a cross from first year Marina Bassett (South Portland, ME) to take the 1-0 lead into the first intermission.
The second period would see the squads on the offensive attack early and keeping the early period intensity at a fever pitch. Dominating the Raiders zone for the first two minutes, but junior Taylor Bruno (Methuen, MA), would answer with excellent defense shutting down the small Lancer offensive momentum. At 7:08 into the period, Worcester State would get the first power play of the contest with first year Casey Roth (Falmouth, MA), going to the box for hooking. The Blue and Gold would have chances in the Raiders zone, but Rivier would be successful killing off the penalty and regain the early momentum they had in the first. The Lancers, looking to find some magic, found that special sequence with sophomore Leyla Tiernan (Anchorage, AK), finding the back of Bruno’s net with sophomore Emily Johns (Clinton,MA) snagging the assist to even it up 1-1. Rivier would not back down, and forced Czerniawski to contort in the cage, getting the momentum back late in the period as first-year Chloe Bryda (Cumberland, RI) would score on the two on one opportunity with Basset and senior Olivia Schultz (Albuquerque, NM), assisting Bryda for the 2-1 lead going into the second intermission.
Early in the third, Rivier would snag their first power play opportunity with junior Kelly Lovett (Peabody, MA), going to the box for body checking. Worcester State would deja-vu what Rivier did and kill off the penalty. 39 seconds later, Rivier would commit their second penalty of the game with junior Haylie Grossmann (East Boston, MA) going to the box. Worcester would score off the power play with Tiernan snagging her second goal of the game with junior Madelyn Franta (Superior, WI), and sophomore Avery Ireland (Longmeadow, MA) assisting to even the score at two a piece. Worcester would get another goal just under 10 to go in the third as junior Caroline Melanson (Wakefield, MA) would find an opening and give the Lancers their first lead of the night 3-2. Rivier would have chances late in the match but the Lancers defense would handle the Raiders offensive attack and clinch the MASCAC Championship 3-2.
After a standout performance between the pipes, with numerous game deciding saves, Czerniawski was named the MASCAC MVP.
With the second season of MASCAC Women’s Ice Hockey wrapped up, there has been a new conference championship crowned to close out the season as Worcester State would claim their first MASCAC Championship and fourth Championship in the last five years.
Release courtesy of Worcester State Sports Information
