Box Score PITTSTON, PA (January 2, 2026) -- The King's College women's ice hockey team returned to the Revolution Ice Centre for the first time in 2026 on Friday evening, dropping a nonconference matchup to Rivier University by a score of 3-2. The Monarchs move to 0-11-0 on the season, while the Raiders improve to 7-4-0.
 
King's nearly opened the scoring just 12 seconds into the game when Victoria Fleury-Wright rang a shot off the post, setting the tone right from the first shift. Fleury-Wright generated another chance moments later, followed by early looks from Emma Heinrich and Amanda Sokol as the Monarchs controlled possession in the opening minutes.
 
The Monarchs broke through at 4:56 of the first period when Sammi Stead scored at even strength for her second goal of the season. Riley Kumrow chipped the puck off the far side boards and past a defender to break into the offensive zone. The first year sent a centering pass from the goal line towards the net that was deflected into the back of the net by Stead, opening up a 1-0 lead for King's. Kumrow and Maddie Vaughan picked up assists on the play.
 
Rivier answered later in the frame at 11:16 to tie the game, but King's responded with extended offensive pressure on a power play midway through the period. Abby Barlocker and Vaughan each generated quality chances, while Sokol fired multiple attempts as the Monarchs sustained zone time despite being unable to reclaim the lead before the intermission.
 
The second period saw Rivier build momentum early, but Hayley Packer stood tall with a series of saves, including several stops in quick succession. Defensively, Jerrett Tietz made her presence known by blocking three Rivier shots in under 15 seconds midway through the period, helping King's weather a sustained push.
 
King's nearly broke the 1-1 tie during a dominant offensive sequence roughly eight minutes into the middle frame when Vaughan rattled off four consecutive shots on goal in just 16 seconds. Shortly after, Barlocker hit the post at 6:33, marking the Monarchs' second pipe of the night.

Rivier ramped up the pressure late in the period, resulting in goals at 14:53 and 19:30. Heading into the final 20 minutes of regulation, the Raiders held a 3-1 lead.
 
The Monarchs opened the final frame under pressure, with Rivier firing multiple shots in the opening two minutes. Packer stood tall, turning aside several attempts while King's defenders blocked shots in bunches. Eva Goner, Fleury-Wright, and Barlocker each got in the way of shots during a span where Rivier generated five shot attempts in under a minute.
 
After killing off a penalty early in the third, King's pushed back offensively. Vaughan and Stead each generated chances, and the Monarchs finally broke through at 16:11. Heinrich buried a one-timer in the slot off a no-look backhanded feed from Vaughan to pull King's within one goal of tying the game. Vaughan collected her second helper of the night while Sokol also assisted on the play which capped a strong stretch of offensive zone pressure.
 
King's continued to press late, pulling the goalie and generating multiple shots in the final two minutes. Stead, Vaughan, and Barlocker all had looks as the Monarchs fired three shots in the closing 90 seconds, but were unable to find the equalizer before time expired.
 
Stead and Heinrich accounted for the Monarchs' two goals, while Vaughan posted a two-assist performance and led the team with 10 shots and 14 faceoff wins. Barlocker added seven wins at the dot as the team won 25 of 56 faceoffs.
 
Defensively, Tietz contributed five blocked shots, including a flurry in the second period, while Kiana Dizon followed with four of her own. Packer finished the night with a strong 45-save performance in net, making several stops during sustained pressure and keeping the Monarchs within striking distance throughout.
 
King's returns to action tomorrow afternoon for a rematch with Rivier at the Revolution Ice Centre. Puck drop against the Raiders is slated for 3:00 p.m.