Troy, N.Y. – Colgate erupted for three goals in the final six minutes of the second period to take a 3-0 advantage over Rensselaer and scored once more in the third to defeat RPI 4-1 and remain unbeaten in the 2016 season.
Each team had two power-play opportunities in the first period, but could not capitalize on them, finishing the frame at 0-0. Both squads had good looks at the goal, but Julia Vandyk and RPI’s goalie, Lovisa Selander, came up with huge saves to keep the game scoreless.
Junior Annika Zalewski and sophomore Jessie Eldridge had back-to-back shots five minutes into the first period that Selander was able to deflect. Shortly after at 8:20, the Raiders were in their first power-play opportunity of the game, but could not find the net before Lauren Wildfang was called for a penalty at 9:18, evening the skaters at four apiece. During RPI’s first power-play opportunity, Vandyk came up with three huge saves in the goal to ensure the Engineers did not go ahead.
RPI was called for a penalty with just under two minutes remaining in the period and it looked as good as a time as any for Colgate to find its way onto the scoreboard. The Raiders came up with three great shots from Megan Sullivan, Cat Quirion and Bailey Larson, but none could slip the puck past RPI goalie Selander.
The Raiders garnered the advantage in shots on goal in the first period, tallying seven to RPI’s six.
After a scoreless 35 minutes, Colgate erupted for three goals in the last five minutes of the second period. Vandyk saw that a RPI penalty was coming, so she came off the ice at 14:44, giving the Raiders an extra attacker. Colgate took quick advantage of that, recording its first goal at 14:45. Breanne Wilson-Bennett notched her third goal of the season after Olivia Zafuto collected the puck and sent it up the ice to Wilson-Bennett.
With the penalty on RPI, Colgate began a power-play opportunity just after the first goal was scored. After two blocked shots and a save, sophomore Shae Labbe was able to find the back of the goal for her first goal of the season at 16:40. Jessie Eldridge found Annika Zalewski across the ice who passed the puck to Labbe for the 2-0 advantage over the Engineers.
Colgate continued to pound RPI’s goalie, logging four shots in over the next 40 seconds before Larson joined the point scorers by recording fourth goal of the season at 17:26. Senior Cat Quirion was credited with the assist on Colgate’s final goal of the period.
Meghan Brennan was called for an interference penalty at 18:47 and RPI was able to cut its deficit to two by capitalizing on its power-play opportunity with just 25 seconds remaining in the second frame.
Colgate’s scoring burst did not end in the second period, with Zalewski recording her second point of the day just 48 seconds into the frame. Eldridge took a hard shot that rebounded off the post, where freshman Anonda Hoppner was there to collect it. Hoppner then found Zalewski in front of the net for her fourth goal of the season.
The Engineers had opportunities in the final frame to cut their deficit, but could not take advantage a power-play chance or find their way past Vandyk.
The Raiders are back in action on Tuesday when they face ECAC rival Cornell at 7:00 p.m. in the Class of 1965 Arena.
Bottom Line
– Colgate 4, Rensselaer 1
Won-Lost Records
– The Raiders remain unbeaten in the 2016-17 season, moving to 7-0-1 on the year and 2-0-0 in ECAC play.
– RPI drops to 3-6-1 and 1-1-0 on the year.
Key Raider Info
– Zalewski and Eldridge led the team with two points apiece. Zalewski finished with a goal and an assist and Eldridge dished out two helpers on the day.
– Larson and Wilson-Bennett both recorded goals to solidify the win for the Raiders.
– Hoppner, Zafuto and Quirion each pitched in an assist as well.
– Vandyk recorded 17 saves on the day and only allowed one goal.
Inside the Box Score
– Colgate outshot the Engineers 41 to 18 in the game.
– The Raiders went 1-6 on power-play opportunities, while RPI went 1-4.
– RPI held the advantage on faceoffs, winning 25 of 46.
From the Source: Head Coach Greg Fargo
– “We played a strong game today from start to finish.”
– “I’m certainly pleased with the result, but more importantly we played the right way again today. We did not stray from how we want to play. We want to get better every game and I think we accomplished that tonight.”
Up Next
– The Raiders are back in action on Tuesday taking on Cornell in an ECAC battle at the Class of 1965 Arena.
– Colgate then faces RIT in a home-and-home series on Friday at 6:00 p.m. in Rochester, N.Y. and Saturday at 3:00 p.m. in Hamilton.
– Find all the information on Colgate, Cornell and RIT at Game Central.
