HAMILTON – As the final seconds ticked off the clock, No. 10 Colgate Women's Hockey and nearly all in attendance at Starr Rink here Saturday afternoon erupted in cheers.
 
Not only did the Raiders defeat visiting Dartmouth 1-0, but with the win, Colgate broke the program's Division I wins record.
 
Oh and that's not all. Cornell helped out its nearby rival by beating Harvard in overtime, meaning that a Raiders victory Saturday afternoon would clinch Colgate home ice in the postseason.

It took two-plus periods but Colgate finally broke through 4:41 into the final frame and then held on to earn its 20th win of the season.
 
As the Raiders swamped senior goaltender Ashlynne Rando by the net after the final horn, head coach Greg Fargo met them on the ice and slyly added that they also secured home ice for next weekend. Helmets and gloves went flying after hearing the news and Fargo's squad screamed in excitement. 

The Raiders had done something the program never had done before – secured a home ECAC Hockey postseason series.

Colgate welcomes Harvard next weekend for the league quarterfinals in a best-of-three series beginning Friday at 3 p.m. The two teams meet again Saturday in a 7 p.m. tilt and then, if necessary, a game three Sunday at 3 p.m. All contests will be played in Starr Rink.

The Raiders wanted at least two more games in their historic rink and that's exactly what they got. Colgate Hockey moves to its new rink, the Class of 1965 Arena, next fall. But not before it hosts a landmark first playoff series.

Breanne Wilson-Bennett netted the game-winner Saturday after she finished off a rebounded shot from rookie Bailey Larson.

Rando recorded 32 stops in the game for her ninth victory of the season. The shutout also marked the ninth of her career, which places her tied with Kimberly Sass '12 for fourth all-time.

Colgate gave Rando, Katelyn Parker and Nicole Gass a Senior Day they will never forget.

Bottom Line
• Colgate 1, Dartmouth 0
 
Won-Lost Records
• Colgate improves to 20-7-7 overall and closes out the ECAC Hockey regular season with a mark of 12-5-5.
• The Raiders 20 wins marked a program record for their Division I history, surpassing the 2008-09 team who compiled 19. The 2008-09 squad finished 19-14-3 for a .569 winning percentage, also the program's Division I top mark. Colgate's current record equals out to a .691 win rate with at least two games still remaining in the season.
• Dartmouth wraps up its season at 6-19-3 and 6-13-3, respectively.

Key Raider Info
• Wilson-Bennett notched her 14th tally of the year to lift Colgate past Dartmouth.
• Shae Labbe and Lauren Wildfang led the team with six shots apiece.
• With the win, Colgate secured home ice in the postseason for the first time in its ECAC Hockey history. 

Raider Goals
• 1st period: no goals.
• 2nd period: no goals.
• 3rd period: Wilson-Bennett, with an assist to Larson.
 
Facts & Figures
• Neither team converted on the power play with Colgate going 0-for-5 and Dartmouth 0-for-2.
• The Raiders slightly outshot their visitors 35-32, including two periods with double-digit shot attempts.
• Senior Rando increased her career saves total to 2,342 following her 32 stops in the game.
 
Matching History
• As the league regular season came to a conclusion Saturday night, Colgate's 12-5-5 record translates into a .659 winning percentage.
• That percentage matches Colgate's best conference mark, which was set during the 2006-07 season when the Raiders finished 14-7-1 for a .659 winning percentage.
 
From The Source
• Head coach Greg Fargo (on the game) "I'm so proud of our group today. We had to fight really hard for that win. It's going to be exciting playing at home in playoffs for the first time.
 
"Our team has always responded when challenged and we did it again after a tough loss last night.
 
"I couldn't be happier for the three seniors on their senior night. They will always remember this. They've been through a lot and it just couldn't be better right now for these three great people."
 
Gate Grab Bag
• Colgate welcomed back numerous Colgate Women's Hockey alumni to Starr Rink on Saturday.
• Saturday's contest was the Raiders' final regular season game in Starr Rink.
• Attendance at Starr Rink was 412.
 
Up Next
• Colgate hosts Harvard next weekend in the ECAC Hockey quarterfinals.
• It will be a best-of-three series with a game Friday and Saturday and a potential game three on Sunday if needed.
• Game times will be Friday at 3 p.m., Saturday at 7 p.m. and, if necessary, Sunday at 4 p.m. All games will be played in Starr Rink.
• Live stats and video will be available at the start of all games.

Game Archive