POTSDAM, N.Y. - After a high-scoring weekend that also featured stingy defense and goaltending, Colgate looks primed to make a postseason run. Against Clarkson and superstar Elizabeth Giguere, getting out of the first round is easier said than done. 

Fast starts are important for any team, but they seem a bit more essential for Colgate. The Raiders sport an undefeated record when scoring first. Against a stout Clarkson defense, it wouldn't be an easy task. 

In the opening 20 minutes, neither side could claim an early advantage. Both teams saw decent chances at the net, but Liz Auby and Marie-Pier Coulombe traded saves throughout the frame. Colgate killed off the only penalty after Malia Schneider was sent to the box for hooking. 

The nation's leading scorer Giguere wouldn't be kept off the board for long. The superstar junior put the Golden Knights on top in the opening minutes of the second after a two-on-one opportunity. 

Colgate saw a pair of power play opportunities in the remainder of the second, but couldn't convert. Clarkson looked to have scored another, but was nullified after review. The potential goal scorer would instead serve an interference penalty. Power play struggles would send the Raiders to the second intermission facing a 1-0 deficit 

In the early part of the third, it looked like Colgate tied it. Eleri MacKay saw a golden opportunity in front of the net as Coulombe deflected it. Coralie Larose was there to put it home and celebration ensued. After review, the officials would call for the equalizer to be wiped away for goalie interference. 

The equalizer would come eventually. It was becoming desperation time for Colgate. A Golden Knights' penalty would allow the visitors to pull the goalie and play six-on-four in the final two minutes. The advantage didn't prove fruitful for the Raiders, but they got the result they were looking for seconds after Clarkson returned. 

With just under three seconds remaining in regulation, Sydney Bard tapped in an airborne puck to knot game one. For a third time in this contest, the goal would be reviewed. The officials saw no issue and Friday night would feature free hockey. 
 

Freshman Sydney Bard sends game one of the ECAC Quarterfinals to OT in the final seconds!#SCTop10 @SportsCenter pic.twitter.com/0jC9kZX4XE

— Colgate Women's Hockey (@ColgateWIH) February 29, 2020

In overtime, both teams saw chances early. Auby made several key saves to keep Colgate alive.
 

Clarkson with a chance, but we'll play on!#WePlayFree #GoGate pic.twitter.com/PyMr27D94M

— Colgate Women's Hockey (@ColgateWIH) February 29, 2020

Michaela Pezjlova ended the game on a quick wrister that found the back of the net. 

Clarkson took a 1-0 lead in the best-of-three series. 

Bottom Line

• Clarkson 2, Colgate 1

Facts & Figures

• Liz Auby made 31 saves throughout the contest.

• Clarkson took a 33-29 shot advantage.

• All three matchups between Colgate and Clarkson have been decided by one goal or less.

Head Coach Greg Fargo on Bard's goal to force overtime

• "We took ahold of the play in the third period especially. Our group played hard until the very end. That last two minutes we were poised with the extra attacker and kept coming up with loose pucks. Bard eventually a smart play to get the puck out in front."

On game two tomorrow

• "Obviously, we're not happy with the outcome tonight, but we're looking forward to getting back at it tomorrow. I know our team will channel that energy in the right way. It's important to put this one to bed. We had great efforts up and down the lineup and Auby was rock solid. It was a good hockey game tonight and I can't wait to see us compete tomorrow."

Colgate heads back to Cheel Arena for game two, scheduled for Saturday at 3 p.m.