Box Score

HAMILTON – Colgate notched three goals on defending national champion and No. 1-ranked Minnesota but eventually dropped an 8-3 decision to the Golden Gophers here Saturday afternoon.

"We got ourselves caught up in a lot of highs and lows of the game today," Colgate head coach Greg Fargo said. "When we were in control of our emotions and composed, we controlled play.

"I don't think the score was completely indicative of how the game was played. Credit to Minnesota for making the best of their chances. Overall, we were pleased with the effort from our group this weekend. We'll certainly continue to get better, but this weekend was a postive step for our program and we'll continue to grow."

Colgate (0-2-0) saw Melissa Kueber register her first two goals of the season, coming in the first and third periods. Jocelyn Simpson also tallied a goal in the contest after Katie Case and Stephanie Giannopoulos found her with the puck. Liz Trautz and Miriam Drubel recorded helpers on Kueber's second goal. Ashlynne Rando (14 saves) and Susan Allen (17 saves) split time in net for the Raiders, with Allen handling 36 minutes of action.

Minnesota (2-0-0) continued its 51-game unbeaten streak thanks to two goals each from Rachel Ramsey, Maryanne Menefee, and Rachel Bona. The Golden Gophers received goals by Sarah Davis and Milica McMillen as well. Amanda Leveille pushed aside 24 shots throughout the match.

After a scoreless opening 10 minutes, the fans saw an explosion of goals throughout the next four minutes as five different players found the back of the net.

The Raiders started the scoring by intercepting the puck at center ice on a power-play. Kueber found herself on a breakaway and placed the puck over Leveille's right shoulder for her first marker of the year.

The Golden Gophers quickly equalized 42 seconds later on a power-play when Davis fired a shot on net from the right the side of the ice. Her shot took a deflection off a Raiders player and fell at the stick of Ramsey, who fired it past Rando to knot the score at 1-1.

It took Colgate only 16 seconds to regain the lead as assistant captain Simpson netted her first of the season. Case and Giannopoulos teamed up to find Simpson, lifting the Raiders to the 2-1 advantage.

Minnesota yet again answered 36 seconds later on a free play after the Raiders were called for tripping. The Golden Gophers knew they were going to be awarded the penalty so they pulled their goalie to allow for a 6-on-5 opportunity. Bona took the initial shot that was saved by Rando, but she couldn't fall on the puck fast enough as Menefee finished the rebound.

The Golden Gophers tallied another goal after 43 seconds had ticked off the clock. The assistant captain Davis found the back of the goal on a power-play thanks to the help of McMillen and Menefee.

Just before the end of the first frame Minnesota notched another goal to increase its lead 4-2. Bona recorded her third of the season on a breakaway opportunity.

Early in the middle period, the Golden Gophers added two more goals to extend their lead to 6-2. Menefee posted her second of the game 3:21 into the frame before Bona registered her second tally of the day 20 seconds later.

With two minutes remaining in the period, Minnesota was called for both interference and cross-checking to award Colgate a 5-on-3 opportunity. The Raiders tried to take advantage firing shot after shot, but Leveille made some brilliant saves to keep Colgate out of the net.

At 11:32 in the final period, the Raiders were able to find the back of the goal thanks to Kueber's second of the contest. Trautz and Drubel worked the puck around before finding Kueber, who quickly shot past Leveille for Colgate's third marker of the game.

Top-ranked Minnesota registered another goal in the game on a power-play to take the 7-3 advantage. McMillen shot from the top of the right faceoff circle past the left shoulder of Allen, who had come in midway through the second period.

With four minutes remaining in the contest, Ramsey ultimately secured the victory for the Golden Gophers when she slid the puck past Allen unassisted.

Minnesota outshot the Raiders 39-27 and was 3-for-6 on the power-play. The Raiders went 1-for-6.

Colgate is back on the ice next weekend when the Raiders travel to Storrs, Conn., for a two-game set with Connecticut. Friday's opener starts at 7 p.m.