The Colgate University women’s ice hockey team — three-time defending ECAC champions — own an impressive 22-3-1 record, totaling 39 standings points, which currently puts them at the top of the league. Close on their heels is Clarkson University, with 38.5 points, followed by St. Lawrence University with 34 and Cornell University and Quinnipiac University tied at 29 points.
The Raiders’ offense is nothing short of prolific. They have scored 134 goals — 30 more than the next-highest team in the ECAC. And don’t sleep on their defense, either. Colgate has allowed just 32 goals in the entire season, a stat that is second only to Clarkson, who has let in 26.
Among many other impressive team stats, the Raiders have the most power-play goals, the highest power-play percentage and the most face-off wins.
Hailing from the Czech Republic, Senior Kristýna “Kalty” Kaltounková leads both Colgate and the ECAC with 46 points this season, 22 of which come from goals scored, putting her at the top of the individual stat sheet in that category, as well.
Fifth-year and Alberta native Danielle Serdachny leads both Colgate and the ECAC with 27 assists, giving the Raiders the lead in points, goals and assists.
The Raiders have five out of the top ten ECAC leaders in points: Kaltounková, Serdachny, Elyssa Biederman, Sydney Morrow and Neena Brick. Only one other team has more than one player in the top 10, showing just how skilled this team of Raiders is.
First-year Madeline Palumbo spoke about the range of talent on this year’s squad.
“I think our team has been successful because we have so much depth, [and it’s something] that everyone on our team contributes towards,” Palumbo said.
Sophomore forward Sara Stewart emphasized Palumbo’s point.
“The depth in our lineup […] causes other teams to get tired,” Stewart said.
Individual Raiders have hit significant milestones this season. Serdachny reached the 200 career points mark in a win against Harvard University, fifth-year Sydney Bard reached 100 career points in a win against Princeton University and Kaltounková became Colgate’s all-time leading goal-scorer with 78, breaking the record set back in 2002 by Heather Murphy ’02.
Taking a look back at some of the highlights from the season, Palumbo spoke about one of her favorite games of the year.
“I think a standout game from this season so far is our win at Cornell,” Palumbo said. “The team faced a lot of adversity that game and we never gave up.”
Colgate handed Cornell a 6-3 loss this season, a historic victory considering that the Raiders have not beaten Cornell on the road since 2009. It was great to get the win and break the long streak — not to mention coming back home the next day and winning again, 3-0.
In addition to the Cornell games, Kaltounková spoke about the two Ohio State University games, some of her favorite matchups.
“That was one of my favorite games because we had a great home crowd, had fun playing the game — and playing it together — and were able to win the first one and battle hard in the second one.”
The home win against Ohio State was a particularly special game. Colgate was up 2-0 early on, but Ohio State came back to tie it at two in the third period. But, in the first game of her rookie season, Ontario native Emma Pais scored her first goal with just 39 seconds left to give Colgate a 3-2 win, capping off a debut that she — or anyone else watching — will likely never forget.
The Raiders have eight games left in the regular season, but it is never too early to start thinking about the playoffs and the NCAA tournament. Kaltounková spoke about the team’s excitement with the playoffs quickly approaching.
“I think I can speak for everyone on the team when I say that it’s the best time of the year,” Kaltounková said. “It’s what we work for [from] the day we arrive on campus.”
“The team is excited and prepared with playoffs coming up and looking forward to proving ourselves and leaving our mark this season,” Stewart added.
This Raiders squad thrives under the bright lights. In each of the previous three seasons, the Raiders have both won the ECAC championship and played in the national quarterfinals. This season, they are ranked second in the country by USCHO and fourth by ESPN.
Raider fans have the rare privilege of watching one of the best women’s hockey teams in the nation, and in less than a month, those Raiders will begin their quest for yet another ECAC championship and, hopefully, another run at the national title.
