The last two weeks have been exceptionally eventful for the Colgate women’s ice hockey team. After its stunning upset against Dartmouth, the fourth-ranked team in the nation, the Raiders looked poised to make a run to the top of the ECACHL standings. Standing in their way, however, were four important league games, including two more clashes against top ten teams.

The four-game home-stand for the Raiders began promisingly on November 17 against the Bobcats of Quinnipiac. Sophomore forward Sam Hunt, who was honored with the USCHO.com National Player of the Week award, collected her first collegiate hat trick as she led the Raiders to an impressive 5-3 victory. Sophomore Elin Brown and senior Carly McNaughton both added a goal apiece.

The Raiders played host to the ninth-ranked Princeton Tigers the following night at Starr Rink. This time around, things did not go quite as smoothly.

After the opening goal was scored by Princeton, McNaughton scored her second goal of the weekend midway through the first period to knot the game at one. However, Princeton scored in each of the final two periods to take a commanding 3-1 lead with only 12:29 remaining in the game. Elin Brown continued her impressive play, scoring a late power-play goal, but it was not enough as the Tigers escaped with a 3-2 victory.

While most of us were at home enjoying the break, the Raiders looked to regroup against Clarkson on Black Friday. After Senior Tara French scored the game’s first goal midway through the final period, it looked as if the Raiders would get an important league win, but the Golden Knights had other ideas. With just 41 seconds remaining in regulation, they tied the game on a power-play goal. In the ensuing overtime, with just over a minute remaining, Clarkson struck again to capture the 2-1 victory.

Despite the loss, sophomore Elayna Hamashuk continued her great play between the pipes, making 34 saves, including a number of incredible stops.

The next night, number five St. Lawrence came to town against a reeling Raiders squad. That high ranking, however, was far from intimidating for Colgate.

“Knowing that we have played and beaten ranked teams, gives us the confidence to play the way we know we can play,” junior Kate Wolgemuth said. “Confidenceas individuals and as ateam is critical to our performance in each game.”

After two straight league losses, Colgate could not afford a third. The Saints jumped to an early lead, but Hunt continued her great play, scoring a crucial short-handed goal to tie the game. The second period was the turning point for the Raiders, as first-years Katie Stewart and Marissa Dombovy both found the back of the net to give Colgate a 3-1 heading into the third period. St. Lawrence was only able to score once in the final period, as Colgate upset its second top-five team of the season.

The Raiders conclude the first half of the season this weekend on the road against league foes Union and Rensselaer.

“We’re looking to continue the momentum we generated against St. Lawrence,” French said, “to end the semester on an appropriate note.