MASCAC Madness 25-26

[MilkUniversity]

The Panthers are gone and the MASCAC persists...

The MASCAC will be without perennial champions Plymouth State (minus last year... but we'll forget about that), opening the path for some historic and overlooked programs to make a run for the NCAA tournament. Fitchburg won the championship for the first time since 2018 (and as the first non-PSU team since then), punching their ticket for a one-sided matchup vs Utica.

UMass Dartmouth has also left for the LEC, with the team being a consistent playoff presence as a solid 3rd/4th place program. While UMD hasn't won the MASCAC tourney since 2013, their exit opens up a playoff spot for one of the low ranking teams like Framingham or MCLA.

This year could also see a very under the radar 3-way battle for the conference. Coach's poll has Fitchburg projected to repeat, with Anna Maria and Salem State coming in as a very close 2nd and 3rd. Anna Maria has made some noise as a young program, a new MASCAC member, and was one of the few teams to have recent success against Plymouth. Salem State is a long-time and historic team in the conference, finishing 3rd last year behind a strong run of wins and upsets.

It'll be interesting keeping an eye on things from up north in the LEC. Had some great memories watching Plymouth play some of these teams, and will be interesting to see who comes out on top. Every team plays scrappy all season, so excited to see who ends up making it to NCAAs.

 

[MilkUniversity]

More to say in the LEC thread, but Plymouth and Salem had an ugly reunion last night in an 8-1 blowout. Salem started strong and held a 1-0 lead at the end of the 1st with Plymouth playing clunky and getting outshot. That point on… pucks and fists fly. Seen well over 50+ games at Hannaway and last night ended up being the ugliest game I’ve witnessed. Three full line brawls, 4 game misconducts by my count, and 4 DSQs for fighting. Hell of a game for the teddy bear toss and to help wrap up the fall, but wouldn’t be surprised if there ends up being some players benched/suspended after that. Still was electric to witness in person and would pay to be a fly on the wall in the locker room afterwards.

 

[jerrynu26]

I think there were 5 DQ’s. There will a missed game for each of those, but unless the school administration steps in (up), it is prob unlikely for any other consequences(imo).

 

[MilkUniversity]

I think there were 5 DQ’s. There will a missed game for each of those, but unless the school administration steps in (up), it is prob unlikely for any other consequences(imo).

Just checked the stat sheet and wow… Plymouth would rather nail freshmen for alcohol than do anything for conduct so I doubt anything will happen for the players involved (aside NCAA/LEC conduct)

Hale and Steele for Plymouth slugged it out on the ice and then were asking for the Salem players and bench for some more on the way off. Fun to see for all of us in the crowd but hope they can lock it in.

 

[MilkUniversity]

Over in Massachusetts, the lowly MASCAC wraps up the first half of the season with the new power struggle between Anna Maria and Fitchburg underway. There's not a lot besides the conference AQ bid and bragging rights to play for, but teams don't let the low conference NPI ruin the fun.

Current rankings:
1. Anna Maria (4-1 MASCAC, 7-4 overall)
2. Fitchburg (4-0, 7-4)
3. Westfield (4-1, 7-4)
4. MCLA (2-2-1, 3-5-2)
5. Worcester (1-2-2, 4-4-3)
6. Framingham (1-4, 3-6)
7. Rivier (1-4, 1-10-1)
8. Salem (0-3-1, 2-8-1)

At the top, Anna Maria and Fitchburg are in a close battle for the #1 spot. Fitchburg started the month with a 2-1 win over Anna Maria, putting them in good position with a game on hand and an undefeated in-conference record. Westfield enters the break in 3rd, taking a loss to Anna Maria, but beating expectations through the fall.

Down the order, MCLA comes in a reasonable 4th, with last year's giant killers sitting three places ahead of their pre-season projected finish. Worcester sits in 5th, struggling through the first half but notching a big win over Anna Maria to win the WooCup. Framingham sits in 6th to round out the playoff spots.

At the bottom Rivier sits in 7th with only a single win. In 8th, the team which gave Rivier their only win, lies Salem. Salem enters the break in last, only notching a conference SO W vs Worcester after a tough schedule of OOC games and close losses in the MASCAC.

 

[MilkUniversity]

The MASCAC finds its newest member as St. Joseph’s of Connecticut is announced as the newest affiliate member of the conference. USJ will bring the MASCAC up to 9 mens teams, and is one of a few new additions in recent years. Anna Maria and Rivier have joined in the last few years, as long time mainstays Plymouth and UMD have departed for the LEC.

Should be a good opportunity to develop as a first year team. The barrier for entry is a lot lower in the MASCAC than for a new team like West Conn is the LEC or Roger Williams in the CNE.

 

[MilkUniversity]

With the season winding down and a new team on the way, the MASCAC heads towards the playoffs with seeding still wide open.

Current rankings:
1. Fitchburg (9-1 MASCAC - 26 pts)
2. Anna Maria (8-1-1 MASCAC - 26 pts)
3. Westfield (7-2-1 - 22 pts)
4. Salem (5-4-1, 19 pts)
5. Worcester (2-6-2 - 10 pts)
6. MCLA (2-8-1 - 8 pts)
7. Rivier (2-8-0 - 6 pts)
8. Framingham (2-8-0 - 6 pts)

Fitchburg has almost consistently held the edge for the top seed over Anna Maria. The Falcons took the win in their first head-to-head, and have only an in-conference loss to Salem. Fitchburg now plays the #2, #3, #4 and their 2025 championship opponent MCLA down the stretch.

Anna Maria at #2 only has one regulation loss in the new year, some notable OOC wins vs Salve, J&W, and Manhattanville, and is looking to push for their first championship.

Trailing at #3, Westfield is looking at their first top 3 finish since 2019 and is fighting for a 1st round bye. Close behind, #4 Salem has recovered to go above .500, and has a final weekend match vs Westfield to determine seeding.

At the back of the pack, 4 points separates the #5 through #8. Worcester currently holds the #5, but only has one conference win in 2026. MCLA is the last team in at #6, looking for another chance at a playoff cinderella run.

On the outside looking in are Rivier and Framingham at #7 and #8. Rivier will be looking for their first ever conference playoff as a program. Framingham hasn't made the playoff since 2022, when all 7 MASCAC teams at the time automatically made the playoffs (and when the 0-16 Rams upset #2 Fitchburg).