ERIE, Pa. — Head women's hockey coach
Stefan Decosse earned his first win as the Raiders' bench boss on Friday night, defeating a stingy Mercyhurst squad, 3-2, on the road. A trio of sophomore forwards in
Emma Pais,
Madeline Palumbo and
Kaia Malachino contributed goals in the win, while senior netminder
Hannah Murphy made 23 saves between the pipes.
The Raiders matched last year's season-high with six penalties for a total of 12 minutes spent in the box. Conversely, one of the strongest power-play units in the nation converted on 50% of their advantaged opportunities in the win. Palumbo also tallied a new-career high with a game-leading 10 shots.
HOW IT HAPPENED
A rocky start to the season saw Colgate concede the first goal of 2024-25 just 17 seconds into the game.
The Lakers would fire off two more shots before first-year forward Alexia Aubin drew a penalty which gave the Raiders an extra attacker five minutes into the first period.
Colgate took advantage of the power-play when Kristýna Kaltounková crept behind the net, slipping a pass up front to the reigning ECAC Rookie of the Year Emma Pais. The sophomore sensation calmly tapped in the puck to even the score and halt the Lakers' early momentum.
Another power-play fell the Raiders' way just over halfway through the first, leading to an open look from Palumbo. Unfortunately for the Raiders, her shot rang off the post as the advantage expired.
Colgate could not kill its second penalty of the opening frame, falling behind 2-1 after a late first period goal from the Lakers.
A relatively lackluster opening 10 minutes of the middle period was highlighted by Murphy's early-season heroics. The captain stifled Mercyhurst from point blank range on back-to-back shots halfway through the middle stanza, saving another shot on a breakaway at the 11:25 mark.
After a five-on-zero Raider rush was abruptly halted due to offsides, junior forward Sara Stewart hung a pass in open space on another Colgate power-play. Palumbo collected the loose puck with a head of steam, depositing the game-tying goal into the back of the net just nine seconds before the second intermission.
To open the third, sophomore forward Kaia Malachino weaved between three Laker defenders on a solo rush, going to her backhand to dump in the go-ahead goal just three minutes into the final frame.
Murphy would continue to hold down the fort for the remainder of the period making 12 out of her 23 total saves in the final 20 minutes.
Colgate also picked up two more penalties in the third, the final taking place with just two minutes left in regulation. Once Mercyhurst pulled its goalie for a 6-4 advantage, Murphy and the Raiders still held strong.
The defensive unit only allowed four Mercyhurst shot attempts, three of which were gobbled up by Murphy to seal Decosse's first win as a head coach.
UP NEXT
The Raiders return to the Mercyhurst Ice Center tomorrow at 3 p.m. looking for a series sweep against the Lakers.
