Filled with confidence and momentum after an exciting sweep of Cornell, the women’s hockey team increased its winning streak to four games following a pair of victories against ECAC foes, beating RPI 3-2 and defeating Union 3-1.

Colgate welcomed RPI to Starr Rink last Friday night for an important league showdown. The Raiders took an early lead when a pair of seniors connected for the game’s first goal. Forward Sam Hunt scored her 10th of the season when she fired the puck off of defender Kiira Dosdall’s pass into the back of the net. Junior forward Katie Stewart, who passed the puck to Dosdall, also received an assist.

Colgate doubled its lead less than three minutes later when junior forward Beth Rotenberg took advantage of a power-play and scored the second Raider goal. Sophomore forward Jessi Waters and junior forward Marissa Dombovy were credited with the assists.

Stewart earned her second point of the game when she scored a goal, her eighth in 12 games, six minutes into the second period to increase Colgate’s lead to three. Stewart’s goal, which would prove to be the game-winner, was assisted by senior forward Elin Brown and Dosdall.

RPI ended Kimberly Sass’ shutout bid with 6:37 remaining in the second period when Nicole McDonald scored an even-strength goal to make it 3-1 heading into the final period of play.

Hunt received a penalty just 1:14 into the third period, giving the Engineers an opportunity to cut their deficit in half. With 28 seconds remaining on the man-advantage, RPI scored to make it 3-2 with 17:14 remaining on the clock.

For the remainder of the game, however, the Raiders’ defense played well. Sass made 14 of her 35 saves in the final period as the Raiders secured their third consecutive victory.

The fourth straight win came the following day against Union. The Dutchwomen entered the game occupying the ECAC cellar, amassing just a single tie and no victories in 11 league contests. With an overall record of just 2-18-3, Union proved to be no match for Colgate.

The Raiders broke the scoreless deadlock with 1:03 left on the first period clock when Jessi Waters lit the lamp. First-year defender Amanda Kirwan and Brown provided the assists. Colgate dominated the period, out-shooting the Dutchwomen 20-6, but managed only the lone goal entering the first intermission.

Midway through the second period Hunt added her team-leading 11th goal of the season when she capitalized on the power-play. Sophomore forward Hannah Milan supplied a great pass to Hunt, while Stewart made the initial pass to Milan for the other assist.

Sophomore Jacquie Colborne cemented the victory when she scored with just 5:44 remaining in the game. Hunt and Dosdall assisted Colgate’s final goal.

Sass, brilliant in goal for the Raiders yet again, came within just five seconds of a shutout. The meaningless Union goal made the final score 3-1. Sass was awarded the ECAC Rookie of the Week Award after a two-win weekend in which she allowed just 1.50 goals per game.

“The team is feeling pretty confident, we know that these wins are huge and we have to continue to win,” junior Evan Minnick said. “We are playing with a sense of urgency and this mindset is driving us forward.”

Colgate is gelling and gaining confidence at the perfect time, as it has climbed to fifth in the ECAC standings with ten games remaining to continue its ascent up the standings.

“We believe that we can go undefeated for the rest of the year,” Minnick added. “We have a really tough schedule but we have beaten all of the teams before and need to do it again.”

The Raiders looks to extend their win streak to six games this weekend when they travel to New England for league games against ECAC doormats Brown and Yale. Game time is 7 p.m. Friday night in Providence and 4 p.m. Saturday afternoon in New Haven.