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HAMILTON – Colgate Women's Ice Hockey faced a tough Mercyhurst squad here Tuesday night and were slightly edged 4-2.

After the first period Colgate held a two goal edge, but saw its visitor rally for four unanswered goals to earn the come-from-behind victory.

The Raiders tallied two markers in the opening period thanks to goals by Bailey Larson and Breanne Wilson-Bennett. Mercyhurst, however, was able to even the score at 2-all in the second frame with a set of power play goals from Paige Horton and Emily Janiga. The teams then headed into the third period all knotted up, but a goal from the Lakers 6:54 into the final frame ultimately secured Mercyhurst the road win.

Larson started the scoring for the Raiders midway through the first when she stole the puck from a defender behind the Mercyhurst goal. The first-year slid it up and around goaltender Sara McDonnell for her fifth tally of the year.

Wilson-Bennett continued the scoring with just under two minutes remaining in the period. Classmate Lauren Wildfang passed the puck over to junior Cat Quirion, who fired a hard shot from the blue line. Wilson-Bennett was directly in front of the goal and was able to tip it in, handing Colgate the two-goal advantage.

Mercyhurst capitalized on several Raider penalties in the second frame to tie things up. The Lakers first goal came on a 5-on-3 opportunity after Colgate was called for a high stick and cross checking.

Then just minutes before the end of the period, Mercyhurst once again found itself on the power play. This time Janiga was the one who found the back of the net thanks to a good feed from Sarah Hine and Molly Blasen.

The third period was a battle, with both teams looking for the winning goal.

At the 6:54 mark, the Lakers scored the eventual game-winner, pulling in front 3-2.

Down by one, with time winding down, the Raiders' pulled goalie Ashlynne Rando to gain for an extra attacker. Unfortunately, an empty-netter gave the Lakers the insurance goal they needed to secure the win.

Rando recorded 17 saves, while McDonnell made 24 stops.

The Raiders are back in action Wednesday for a rematch with the Lakers. Puck drop is set for 2 p.m. at Starr Rink. Live stats and video will be available at the start of the game.
 
Bottom Line
• Mercyhurst 4, Colgate 2.
 
Won-Lost Records
• Mercyhurst improves to 7-6-2 on the year.
• Colgate shifts to 7-3-5.
 
Key Raider Info
• Larson and Wilson-Bennett had the Raider goals.
• Rookie Shae Labbe led Colgate in shots with five.
• Four Raiders recorded one point each.
 
Raider Goals
• 1st period: Larson, unassisted; Wilson-Bennett, assists to Quirion and Wildfang.
• 2nd period: No goals.
• 3rd period: No goals.
 
Facts & Figures
• The Raiders were 0-for-4 on the power play, while the Lakers went 2-for-4.
• Colgate registered 26 shots to Mercyhurst's 21.
• Four players recorded points in the contest for Colgate.
• Rando recorded 17 saves, bringing her career total to 2,149.
 
From The Source
• Head coach Greg Fargo (on the game): "I thought we played a really solid 60 minutes tonight. It was one of our best games as far as process and playing fast. We just came up a little short on the scoreboard."

"We had a lot of good momentum until we got into some penalty trouble and then Mercyhurst took it back. That's what penalties against will do to you. In a game like that, we just can't afford to give our opponent any life."

"I feel good about the process and our group. We will get back at it tomorrow and prepare the same way. It will be a good opportunity for us to respond tomorrow."
 
Up Next
• The Raiders are back in action Wednesday for a rematch with the Lakers. The game is set for 2 p.m. in Starr Rink.
• Live stats and video will be available at the start of the contest.