PRINCETON, N.J. – Colgate women's hockey recorded a late third period goal but it wasn't enough against No. 10 ranked Princeton here Saturday afternoon.
 
The Raiders ultimately fell in the contest 3-2 but not without a fight.

Playing its second nationally ranked opponent in as many days, Annika Zalewski put the Raiders up 1-0 just seven minutes into the first period.

The Tigers upped their pressure in the last few minutes of the frame though to sneak one in, knotting the score at 1-all heading into the first break.

During the middle period, Princeton tallied two more goals, including the eventual game-winner, to take a two-goal edge into the final frame.

First-year Shae Labbe netted a goal midway through the third period in an attempt to spark a comeback, but the Tigers' were able to hold on to the slight lead to earn the victory.

Zalewski earned her fifth goal of the season early in the first period after teammate Bailey Larson redirected a shot from Olivia Zafuto. The rookies' attempt drilled the post but fell right at Zalewski, who collected the puck and fired one into the back of the net.

With just over a minute left in the first frame, Karlie Lund collected the puck for Princeton in front of the net and fired a hard slap shot that managed to just get past Colgate's netminder Ashlynne Rando.

The Tigers came out of the first intermission pressuring the Raiders defensive line. That offensive push paid off as Kelsey Koelzer scored less than a minute into the period.

Five minutes later, Lund netted her second of the contest on a power play after the Raiders were called for tripping. 

Rando made several key stops in net, including one with less than nine minutes remaining in the contest. Fiona McKenna had a point-blank shot on target but Rando turned the puck away, keep it a 3-1 deficit.

With the clock winding down, Labbe capitalized on a great opportunity to pull her team within one. The initial shot came from Lauren Wildfang and was redirected by Zafuto to a waiting Labbe at the right post.

With new energy the Raiders' were looking for the equalizing goal with declining minutes left. One great opportunity came on a scrum in front of the net but Princeton netminder Kimberly Newell was able to cover it up before Colgate was able to put it away.

In order to get the extra attacker, Rando was pulled from net and Colgate continued to fight for that tying marker but just couldn't break through.

Rando finished the contest with 29 saves, while Newell had 32.

The Raiders are back in action next weekend when they have a home-and-home series with RIT. Puck drop is set for 2 p.m. at RIT on Friday and 3 p.m. in Starr Rink on Saturday.

Live stats will be available at the start of both contests.
 
Bottom Line
• Princeton 3, Colgate 2
 
Won-Lost Records
• Princeton is now 5-1-0 overall and 3-1-0 in ECAC Hockey play
• Colgate shifts to 4-2-4 and 0-1-3, respectively
 
Key Raider Info
• Zalewski and Labbe had the two Raider goals.
• Zafuto, Labbe, and Jessie Eldridge led the Raiders with five shots each.
• Zafuto recorded two points, while four other Colgate student-athletes recorded one point each.
• Rando posted 29 stops in the contest.
 
Raider Goals
• 1st period: Zalewski, assists to Zafuto and Larson.
• 2nd period: No goals.
• 3rd period: Labbe, assisted by Zafuto and Wildfang.
 
Facts & Figures
• The Raiders were 0-for-4 on the power play, while the Tigers went 1-for-5.
• Colgate slightly outshot its nationally ranked foe, 34-32.
• Five players recorded points in the contest for Colgate.
• Rando recorded 29 saves, bringing her career total to 2,077.
 
From The Source
• Head coach Greg Fargo: (on the game) "It was another exciting game today. It's amazing how tight ECAC Hockey seems to be. The margin between winning and losing is so close."
 
"We played very well again today at times. We hit a lull in the second period as a team where we allowed them to take it to us. Our response in the third was great, but it just wasn't enough against a very good team."
 
"There were so many positives coming out of this weekend. We have to keep taking steps in the right direction and we will."
 
Up Next
• The Raiders are back in action next weekend when they travel to RIT on Friday and then welcome Tigers to Starr Rink on Saturday.
• Puck drop is scheduled for 2 p.m. and 3 p.m., respectively.
• Live stats will be available at the start of the games.