Box Score

HAMILTON, N.Y. (2/4/12) – The Colgate women's hockey team was able to secure a 3-2 win over Rensselaer on Saturday afternoon after a scoreless first two periods.
 
Freshman Melissa Kueber led the way with two goals, including the game-winner, while sophomore Rachel Walsh tallied the first goal and sophomores Jocelyn Simpson and Taylor Volpe added two assists apiece.
 
The first period started off a little slow, with both teams struggling to find their rhythm on the ice. A penalty on Colgate (10-18-1, 5-12-1 ECAC Hockey) nine minutes into the game allowed the Engineers to gain the first power play opportunity of the game. The Raiders were able to hold Rensselaer scoreless in the two-minute advantage and then again in its second extra skater advantage six minutes later to keep the score at 0-0 at the end of the first frame. Both teams had four shots on goal.
 
The second 20 minutes of play were similar to the first, this time however it was more physical as both teams searched for the first goal of the game. The aggressive play led to four penalties on Colgate and three on the Engineers, but neither team was able to capitalize on its power play opportunities. Rensselaer held a 10-5 shooting advantage in the second period.
 
The final frame was by far the most exciting, with a total of five goals being scored between the two teams. The Raiders struck first with their first goal just over two minutes into the stanza to take a 1-0 lead. Walsh picked up a pass from Volpe and blasted it into the back of the net to score the opening goal. Freshman Taylor Craig was also credited with an assist. Colgate held the 1-0 lead for only 48 seconds, with the Engineers striking back with a goal from Taylor Horton to tie the game at 1-1. The quick response did not topple the Raiders, who then reclaimed their lead 40 seconds later with a goal at the 3:38 mark. Kueber scored the second goal with assists from junior Jenna Klynstra and Simpson.
 
Colgate then earned two power play opportunities midway through the period, scoring on its second advantage at the 14:53 mark courtesy of Kueber once again, to increase the scoring margin to two goals. The rookie had help from Simpson and Volpe. The Engineers were not discouraged, trading in their goalie for an extra skater in the closing minutes of the game. The aggressive strategy eventually helped them find a second goal with just 41 seconds left in the game. However, despite its best efforts Rensselaer could not find an equalizer, giving the Raiders their second win of the weekend.
 
Senior Kimberly Sass had 19 saves in the game while Kelly O'Brien had 15 stops for the Engineers. Colgate held Rensselaer scoreless on five extra skater advantages and scored on one of its four opportunities.
 
The Raiders will resume ECAC Hockey play on the road next weekend when they travel to Yale and Brown on Feb. 10 and 11.