Schenectady, N.Y. – Colgate opened up its ECAC season with a 2-0 win over Union on Friday afternoon.
Livi Altmann and Jessie Eldridge scored the goals that helped keep the Raiders undefeated in the 2016-17 campaign at 6-0-1.
The defenses for both teams reigned supreme for the first 15 minutes of the first period, but Altmann scored a goal at 15:50 to give the Raiders a 1-0 advantage.
The freshman collected the puck on the left side of the ice just after the blue line. She fired a hard slap-shot that found the stick of a Union player and snuck past Union’s goalie.
Union had its chances early in the first period, with two Colgate penalties, but could not convert. The Raiders outshot the Dutchwomen 14-6 in the first frame.
Colgate once again held momentum in the second period, outshooting Union 18-7, but could not seem to find the back of the net. Early in the period, the Dutchwomen were in control, causing Vandyk to have to make a couple of great saves in order to keep Colgate up 1-0. Union had a great opportunity just five minutes into the second period, but the sophomore goalie made a sprawling save to keep Colgate ahead.
The Raiders dominated the last half of the second period, keeping the puck on their side of the ice for a majority of the time. Colgate had an opportunity to score with a scrum in front of the net, but could not convert. With 11 minutes to play in the second period, Colgate looked as if they were going to go up 2-0 on the Dutchwomen, but Union goalie Kate Spooner made a glove deflection and then a kick save to keep Union’s deficit at one.
The Dutchwomen kept their hope alive after killing a Colgate power-play four minutes into the third period with the score still 1-0. Spooner then came up with a great save, pinning the puck between her skate and the post.
But, Colgate stretched its lead just under seven minutes into the third period when Eldridge recorded her fourth goal of the season. Union took a hard shot in front of the net, which Vandyk deflected. Chelsea Jacques collected the rebound and crossed the puck to Eldridge who was quickly skating up the ice. The sophomore beat all defenders and put the Raiders up 2-0 on a complete breakaway goal. The assist was Jacques first point of the 2016-17 season.
The Raiders held possession for a majority of the third period after the goal to put them up 2-0. It looked as if senior Cat Quirion would have an empty net goal with 1.9 seconds remaining in the game, but after much discussion, the referees called a Colgate player off-sides.
Colgate is back in action Saturday at 3 p.m. when the team faces Rensselaer in another ECAC matchup.
Bottom Line
– Colgate 2, Union 0
Won-Lost Records
– The Raiders remain undefeated in the 2016 season at 6-0-1 and starts ECAC play at 1-0-0.
– Union drops to 2-7 on the year and 0-1-0 in ECAC play.
Key Raider Info
– Altmann recorded her first collegiate goal and collegiate point in the first period.
– Eldridge notched her fourth goal of the season and leads the team with 11 points.
– Zalewski picked up her fifth assist on the year.
– Jacques recorded her first point in the 2016-17 season, dishing out an assist on Colgate’s final goal.
– Vandyk came up with 14 saves throughout the game.
Inside the Box Score
– The Raiders outshot the Dutchwomen 41-14 in the game.
– Colgate remains undefeated in the 2016-17 campaign at 6-0-1.
– The team also remains unbeaten when facing Union with a 31-0-3 record.
– Colgate won 33-of-53 faceoffs.
– Both teams could not convert on their power-play opportunities with Colgate going 0-1 and Union going 0-3.
From the Source: Head Coach Greg Fargo
-“If tonight is going to be indicative of ECAC play this year, it’s going to be a tight race with little margin for error. Union made it hard for us all game. I give them a lot of credit.”
– “I thought our game was really strong too. We were well connected in all three zones and had some good looks on net. I thought both goalies were exceptional tonight and everyone in our lineup played a part in the win.”
Up Next
– The Raiders travel to Troy, N.Y., to take on Rensselaer at 3 p.m. Saturday.
– The Raiders hold the 13-10-6 series lead over Rensselaer.
– Colgate won the last meeting 5-3 on Jan. 29, 2016.
– Live stats will be available for the game.
– Find all the information on both Colgate and RPI at Game Central.
