HAMILTON – The Colgate Raiders are headed to the NCAA Women’s Frozen Four.
No. 3 Colgate defeated No. 9 Northeastern in the NCAA Quarterfinal 3-1 at the Class of 1965 Arena to advance to the national semifinal for the first time in program history.
The Raiders take on No. 2 Wisconsin Friday at Ridder Arena in Minneapolis.
It was an even match throughout the entire game, but two Colgate goals in the third period propelled them past the Huskies. Olivia Zafuto netted the game-winner just over a minute and a half into the third period. Bailey Larson added an insurance goal on an empty netter with 50 seconds remaining.
The first period started out fast-paced, but both goaltenders made big stops to keep the game scoreless. Julia Vandyk finished the period with 11 saves, including multiple point-blank stops.
Breanne Wilson-Bennett opened the scoring with 10:53 remaining on the clock in the second stanza.
Jessie Eldridge had the puck behind the net and sent it out to Zafuto for a straight-away look. Once Zafuto corralled the puck, Wilson-Bennett planted herself to the right of the goal. The senior forward tapped the puck down from mid-air to set herself up with a point-blank opportunity.
