Raiders Ice Hockey launch and season openers make history
Rivier Raiders Ice Hockey teams play to a packed arena at their inaugural season opener.
小猪视频 Raiders Ice Hockey teams hit the ice on Friday, October 29, for their inaugural games. Raiders fans packed the stands at Conway Arena in Nashua to witness the historic events and cheer on the University鈥檚 newest NCAA Division III teams.
Kick-off celebrations started early in the day on campus and were followed by a launch party in the Arena parking lot between the women鈥檚 and men鈥檚 games. The turnout on launch day exceeded expectations. Ice hockey parents, students, alumni, and Rivier community members traveled from near and far to support Raiders Ice Hockey.
Rivier Board Trustee Brad Kreick, a former Division I college hockey player, made the inaugural puck drop to open the women鈥檚 game against the Castleton University Spartans. An underdog coming into the match, the Raiders played hard but ultimately fell to the Spartans 6-0. Raiders鈥� goalie Madelyn Morgan (Riverside, CA) gave a standout performance with a brilliant 53 saves.
鈥淚 could not be more proud of our team,鈥� shares Head Coach Chris Czarnota. 鈥淲e have the youngest women鈥檚 team in the country鈥攏early all freshmen鈥攚ho have played together for just three weeks. We鈥檝e got a lot of work to do, but we have the right group to climb that mountain together.鈥�
Boston Bruins legend Rick Middleton joined the event to make the ceremonial puck drop at the men鈥檚 game. Raiders Ice Hockey’s first-ever goal was scored by Hunter Phillips (Quincy, MA). Gameplay against the veteran SNHU Penmen had the Raiders down 4-1 at the end of the second period. But third period was the charm鈥攊n a stunning reverse, the Raiders鈥� scored four goals to bring home a victory. The first of these goals was scored by Ryan Nolte (Canton, MA), followed by two from Jon Tavella (E. Longmeadow, MA). The final and winning goal, a wrist shot by freshman Milan Breczko (Klasterec, Czech Rep.), rocked the arena.
鈥淭he win was amazing,鈥� says Men鈥檚 Head Coach Matt Keating. 鈥淭o advance from behind in the last period with such strength is a testimony to the players鈥� talents, skills, and deep desire to win. This team has the potential for great success.鈥�
As the Raiders play forward on a full schedule, recruiting student-athletes for next year鈥檚 teams is underway. Potential players should contact head coaches Chris Czarnota (W) and Matt Keating (M) to express their interest. Students visiting and applying by December 15 are eligible for the Rivier Early Acceptance Program, which offers a streamlined application process and grants of up to $2,500 in addition to merit-based scholarship packages of up to $80,000.
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