HAMILTON – Colgate used four late goals to top New Hampshire in the 2016 season opener and the inaugural game in the new Class of 1965 Arena.
Four different Raiders scored in the final period, giving the Raiders the comeback 4-2 decision.
The Raiders’ and the Wildcats’ defense reigned in the first period, both teams going scoreless in the frame. Colgate recorded 28 shots, 10 of which were on target, in the first period to New Hampshire’s seven. Sophomore goalie Julia Vandyk registered seven saves in the first period.
The Wildcats held Colgate scoreless for the second period, while they notched a goal early in the second period to give UNH a 1-0 advantage at the second intermission. The Raiders once again outshot New Hampshire, 13-9, but could not sneak anything past sophomore goalie Kyra Smith.
The momentum seemed to be completely with the Wildcats after they came out of intermission and scored three minutes into the third period on a power play opportunity. But Colgate was not ready to roll over. Junior captain Annika Zalewski scored the Raiders’ first goal of the game just three minutes later. Eldridge found Pinkney outside of the arc, who found Zalewski right in front of the net for the score.
Freshman Anonda Hoppner notched her first career goal less than two minutes after Zalewski’s. Eldridge found Hoppner on the left side of the net, where the freshman recorded a hard shot, sneaking past the UNH goalie.
Both teams went without a goal for the next five minutes of the period, but senior captain Cat Quirion broke the scoreless stretch with a goal of her from just outside the arc. Breanne Wilson-Bennett pushed the puck up the ice, finding Bailey Larson who then passed the puck to Quirion in front of the net. The goal gave the Raiders their first lead of the entire game.
The final goal of the period came with just over a minute and a half left in the game. Junior Megan Sullivan converted on a long shot from the blue line, giving Colgate the 4-2 lead on an empty net goal. Once again, Wilson-Bennett found Larson who pushed the puck up the ice to find an open Sullivan. The Raiders would hold the Wildcats’ offense for the next minute and a half, securing the win.
Colgate is back in action tomorrow afternoon when they take on UNH at 3:00 p.m.
Bottom Line
– Colgate 4, UNH 2
Won-Lost Records
– Colgate begins the 2016 season at 1-0-0.
– UNH drops to 0-1-0 on the year.
Key Raider Info
– Zalewski, Hoppner, Quirion and Sullivan all found the back of the net for the Raiders.
– Eldridge, Wilson-Bennett and Larson each pitched in two assists of their own.
– Pinkney recorded her first assist of the season.
– Vandyk finished the game with 22 saves in 60 minutes of play.
Inside the Box Score
– Colgate outshot the Wildcats 42-24 in the game.
– UNH capitalized on one of its four power play opportunities, while the Raiders went 0-7.
– The Raiders received five penalties totaling 10 minutes in the first game.
Up Next
– The Raiders face UNH again tomorrow at 3:00 p.m.
– Live stats and live video will be available for the game.
