HENNIKER, N.H. – The Rivier women's ice hockey team downed New England Col. by a final score of 3-1 on Saturday afternoon at Clement Arena, solidifying an opening weekend sweep of the Pilgrims. The Raiders now sit at 2-0-0 to open the season, the best start in the program's three seasons to date.

The Raiders would strike twice in the first period. First, Rebecca McKelvey fired a wrister from the point past the 'Grims netminder on the powerplay before Jessica Driscoll took the puck the length of the ice and buried a breakaway to put Rivier up 2-0.

NEC would answer back as Sofia Gualtieri would light the lamp on the powerplay to cut the deficit to one.

Just over five minutes later, Briana Paxson fired a wrist shot in from the left faceoff circle to put Rivier back up by two. Paxson's insurance goal would be the final tally of the contest, as Riv skated to a 3-1 victory.

Rachel Symmes made 28 saves on goal for the Raiders, as NEC narrowly outshot Riv 29-27. Rivier went 1-for-5 on the powerplay while killing off three of four Pilgrims' powerplay opportunities.

The Raiders will return to home ice on Friday, Nov. 3 in the first game of a home-and-home with Salem St. Puck drop from Conway Arena is set for 7:00 p.m.