TROY, N.Y. - Battling an early deficit had almost become an unfortunate trend for Colgate. On Friday afternoon at Rensselaer, there was no need for late-game heroics as the Raiders used a pair of freshmen to skate past the Engineers.
In a back-and-forth start to the game, neither side could take a lead. Colgate saw the first power play opportunity, but couldn't convert. An impressive save by Alexa Dobchuk and the freshman connection of Danielle Serdachny and Sammy Smigliani just seconds later flipped the script. Serdachny hustled down near the boards and passed it along to Smigliani in the slot, who put it home to give the Raiders an early advantage.
Looking to pick up their first win, the Engineers fought back quickly in the second. The Colgate lead was erased just two minutes in. Freshman Kaitlyn O'Donohoe decided that needed to change.
O'Donohoe buried a slap shot for the second goal of her young career to give her team a 2-1 lead. Just minutes later, O'Donohoe poked one in off the skate of an RPI player to take a 3-1 advantage.
In the third period, it was Smigliani coming through once again. The freshman netted a second of the afternoon to provide the decisive 4-1 advantage. Smigliani now has six goals in her past five contests.
Colgate improves to 10-9-4 on the year and 4-4-1 in the ECAC.
Bottom Line
Facts & Figures
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Alexa Dobchuk earned her second win in three starts, stopping 14 shots.
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Sammy Smigliani has now recorded at least one point in five consecutive games.
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Colgate claimed a 37-15 shot advantage in the win.
From the Source
Head Coach Greg Fargo on today's victory
On Alexa Dobchuk's performance in the goal
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"Alexa was really solid for our team. She worked hard to track the puck, she saw it really well and didn't give up any second chances. The underrated component of her play is how well she moves pucks. She helps kick start the breakout anytime she can and it makes a big difference for our team in limiting time in our end."
On Sammy Smigliani's recent success
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"Sammy's game grows and evolves with every week that goes by. Their line is connected and they are always looking to add a layer to their game out there. You can hear it on the bench, they are talking about what they see and then make adjustments to be better the next time out. It's great to see. They move the puck so well and Sammy continues to get herself in the right spots on the ice."
On the MacKay/O'Donohoe line
Up Next
Colgate takes on Union on Saturday afternoon looking to pick up a second consecutive ECAC victory.
