The Colgate women’s hockey team kicked off their 2010-11 season in style last weekend, opening with home games against nationally ranked opponents. In the opener last Friday, the Raiders fell to No. 9 Boston College, 4-0, but rebounded to beat No. 8 New Hampshire 1-0 in overtime on Saturday afternoon.

The season opener was certainly one to forget. Boston College came out flying, putting 14 shots on goal in the first period. They were rewarded for their persistence at the 15:18 mark, when Taylor Wasyik lit the lamp to put the Eagles up 1-0, a score that held through the rest of the period.

Colgate recovered well in the second period, and was dominant, outshooting BC 11-5. The Raiders, however, failed to make their exceptional play count, and the Eagles managed to maintain their one-goal advantage.

In the third period, Boston College put on an exhibition in offensive prowess. The Eagles popped home three goals on 16 shots, with goals from Melissa Bizzari bookending a tally from Kristina Brown, sending Boston College home with a resounding 4-0 win.

Saturday’s game against New Hampshire was a much closer affair, headlined by the brilliant goaltending of Colgate junior Kimberly Sass. She was the last line of defense against a relentless New Hampshire attack, racking up 19 saves in the first period alone, and 31 over the course of the game.

Throughout regulation, Sass’ efforts were matched by her Wildcats’ counterpart, Lindsey Minton, who kept the Raiders off the board for 60 minutes with 17 saves.

Overtime, however, provided a marked contrast from regulation time.

In the extra period, Colgate ramped up its offense, peppering the New Hampshire goal with five shots in the first minute and a half.

The Raiders’ sudden surge forward left the New Hampshire defense in shambles, leading to a storybook game-winner at the 1:35 mark of the period. Sophomore Brittany Phillips slotted the puck past Minton to spark scenes of jubilation on the Colgate bench. Sophomore Jordan Brickner and first-year Jocelyn Simpson were credited with the assists – for Simpson, it was her first intercollegiate point.

Colgate continues its six-game homestand this weekend. UConn comes into Starr Rink on Friday night at 7 p.m. and No. 10 Providence takes on the Raiders at 3 p.m. on Saturday.