PROVIDENCE, R.I. - After dropping a couple consecutive heartbreakers, it seemed like the Colgate women were due. Looking to buck the trend of first period deficits, the Raiders knew they needed to come out strong and head into the first break with a lead. Maggie MacEachern helped her team do just that.
The freshman scored her third of the season on a rocket of a one-timer set up by Kaitlyn O'Donohoe and Shelby Wood after returning from four-on-four action and setting up a brief advantage. The Colgate power play converted in both games this weekend.
Truly tilting the Meehan Auditorium ice in their favor, the Raiders allowed only one shot on goal during the opening twenty minutes.
The Raiders weren't done. Taking a commanding 3-0 lead, Eleri MacKay and O'Donohoe scored back-to-back to seemingly put the game out of reach early. The first of which was assisted by Malia Schneider, helping the junior inch closer to the 100 point club.
O'Donohoe netted her fifth of the season and the eventual game winner soon after.
Brown answered right away with their first goal of the afternoon. All happening in the first four minutes of the second period, the remainder of the frame was relatively tame. The third period wouldn't follow suit.
Tanner Gates scored her sixth of the season and lucky 13th of her career midway through the final period, sending a quick wrister just above the glove hand of Brown's Calla Isaac.
Refusing to go away on their senior day, the Bears answered quickly to cut the deficit to two.
Coralie Larose and Noemi Neubauerova put an exclamation point on the road win with back-to-back tallies.
Liz Auby in the goal wasn't asked to do much with a strong defense in front of her, but answered the call when needed. The senior made several key saves to keep Brown from mounting a comeback late in the game.
The Raiders stay at seventh in the ECAC standings, but clinched a spot in the playoffs. Four potential points next weekend could move Colgate up as far as fifth.
Bottom Line
Facts & Figures
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Malia Schneider is now 10 points away from scoring 100 on her career. 12 players in the history of the program have reached the century mark. Olivia Zafuto and Jessie Eldridge most recently accomplished the feat last year.
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Colgate hasn't been outshot by an opponent since Jan. 25 (Cornell). Shots today were 40-13 in favor of the Raiders.
From the Source
Head Coach Greg Fargo
- "We talk about it all the time as a team: the importance of starting the game the way we want. When you do that, it's far more favorable to then make gains, to keep getting better as the game evolves. Scoring early was exactly what we wanted, it was an important part of the game and I think we were able to settle in and play the way we wanted."
- "No matter where you finish in the standings, the regular season doesn't matter all that much if you aren't playing your best hockey at the most important time. Especially in this league when there is so much parity and any team can win on any given night, it's important to peak at the right time."
- "What we are looking to do as a team hasn't changed. We want to take everything positive from this weekend and bring it with us and learn from our mistakes. We want to have our very best week of practice this week ahead and then we want to perform our best as a team on Friday. That's what's going to give us the best chance to hit our stride at playoff time. There's more work to be done, I'm eager to see this team play our best in the most important time of the year. That goal hasn't changed."
- "It's also a weekend to acknowledge and celebrate our senior goaltender, Liz Auby and the contributions she has made to Colgate and our hockey program on and off the ice. Liz has been a model of hard work and determination throughout her career. I know there are so many of Liz's teammates, both past and present that are looking forward to this weekend to honor her."
Up Next
Colgate heads home for the final weekend of the regular season. The Raiders will take on Union Friday night to start the home stretch.
