Over the past few years Colgate women’s hockey has been known for pulling some surprising upsets, but they just could not pull one off last Friday, getting blown out 4-0 on the road against No. 3 New Hampshire, and losing 5-3 the next day at Boston College.

Last season the Raiders pulled off a stunning upset over then fifth-ranked New Hampshire at Starr Rink. In that game Colgate was victorious 5-4, despite being outshot 47-25 on the day and 34-2 in the third period. Then first-year Kimberly Sass was in net that day, and recorded a whopping 43 saves. This year, New Hampshire was the opponent for the season opener on Friday and UNH again scored four goals. Unfortunately, Colgate couldn’t muster any. New Hampshire goalie Lindsey Milton recorded the shutout, but it was the defensive players in front of her that were the real stars, holding the Raiders to just 10 shots. Junior goalie Lisa Plenderleith got a lot more action on the other end, making 30 saves.

It was a little surprising not to see Sass back there after her stellar game last season, but with back-to-back games on the road they saved her for a Saturday evening game in Massachusetts against the Boston College Golden Eagles. Things looked good early for the Raiders, as senior forward Evan Minnick scored with 3:20 left in the first off an assist from junior forward Jessi Waters. However, Boston College knotted the score two minutes into the second, thanks to a goal from Kristina Brown. Colgate answered back though, with two goals in the period. The first came on the power play, as sophomore forward Krista Dermott scored thanks to assists from sophomore defender Amanda Kirwan and senior forward Katie Stewart. The second came right before the period expired courtesy of first-year blue liner Jessica Hootz off assists from senior defender Ali Edell and Evan Minnick.

With Colgate leading 3-1 after two it looked as if the Raiders would finally beat Boston College, after losing to them each of the past two seasons, but it was not to be. The Eagles got a goal from Shannon Webster to pull within one, and then with 5:57 left in regulation Caitlin Walsh scored on the power play to knot the score at three. Boston College got the game winner just over two minutes later as Danielle Welch scored unassisted. The Eagles added an empty net goal in the final minute to claim the 5-3 victory. Kimberly Sass, who had been solid through two periods, stopping 15 of 16 shots, did not play well in the third, allowing three goals on just seven shots.

Coverage of Colgate’s 4-1 loss to Providence last Friday and 5-2 win over UConn today will appear in the October 22 issue of the Maroon-News.