Erie, Pa. – No. 9 Colgate defeated Mercyhurst 5-1 on Wednesday afternoon in a non-conference matchup.
Five different Raiders scored in the game and Colgate recorded five unanswered goals to secure the victory after Mercyhurst got on the board in the first period.
This afternoon’s first period played out a lot like yesterday’s game, with Mercyhurst able to strike first. The Lakers found themselves on the board just 37 seconds into the game thanks to Celine Frappier’s first collegiate goal.
After the goal, Colgate’s defense really stepped up. Mercyhurst controlled the tempo for the next four minutes and change, but sophomore Shae Labbe helped turn Colgate’s momentum after recording a fantastic shot on goal. Although Mercyhurst goalie Sarah McDonnell was able to make the save, this shot swung the momentum in the way of the Raiders.
Over the next several minutes, both Julia Vandyk and McDonnell were able to make some great saves to keep the score at 1-0.
But, just under 10:00 minutes into the game, Colgate was able to put one past McDonnell to knot the game at one. Sophomore Bailey Larson controlled the puck and found her teammate Shae Labbe cutting across the ice. Labbe received the puck and fired a shot off from relatively deep. The sophomore’s shot was deflected by McDonnell, but Megan Sullivan was right beside the net to corral the puck and send it into the goal.
During the final 11 minutes of the period, Colgate was almost in complete control, with the puck in its offensive end for a majority of the time. It looked as if the Raiders were about to go up 2-1 about 15 minutes into the period, but a Mercyhurst defender made a terrific diving stop to keep Jessie Eldridge from scoring.
The Raiders had two power-play opportunities in the final three minutes of the period, including a 5-on-3 chance for about 30 seconds after a roughing call at 18:44. But Mercyhurst was able to kill off one of the penalties before the break.
The Lakers recorded 11 shots to Colgate’s nine and Vandyk recorded 10 saves in the period.
Larson was called for a penalty with no time remaining on the clock at the end of the first period, so after the Mercyhurst penalty was complete, the Lakers had a power-play opportunity for 1:16, but could not make anything of it.
Colgate notched its second goal of the night at 3:11 in the second period after Olivia Zafuto scored from just in front of the blue line. The Raiders had control of the puck, with multiple shots being taken, but could not get anything past McDonnell Jessie Eldridge, who was stationed on the right side of the net, recorded a shot on goal. After having her shot rejected, she kicked the puck out to Zafuto who fired a shot right past the Laker goaltender, putting Colgate up 2-1.
The minutes following were rather chaotic, with shots hitting off posts and crossbars for both teams. But, once the commotion settled, Colgate held control of the puck for the next five minutes and change.
Just over six minutes into the period, a coincidental penalty was called, putting Pinkney in the box for interference and Mercyhurst in the box for hooking. Both teams were able to run their offense, but once again, both goalies stepped up, keeping the game at 2-1.
Eleven minutes into the period, Quirion collected the puck off of a Mercyhurst shot. Quirion found Ellie DeCaprio. She then passed to Perry and Perry was able to skate the puck up the ice in a 1-on-1 situation. She got past the defender and snuck the puck under the leg pad of McDonnell, giving Colgate the two goal lead.
Mercyhurst was called for a tripping penalty at 13:25 in the second period, giving Colgate’s special teams another power-play opportunity. The Raiders were not going to let this one slip out of their fingers as Larson put Colgate up 4-1. Anonda Hoppner controlled the puck in Colgate’s offense end, sending it across to senior Cat Quirion. The senior found Larson, who skated up the right side of the ice and fired a hard slap shot into the goal. This power-play goal was Colgate’s first of the night and fourth of the series with the Lakers.
After the Raiders’ third goal of the period, Jessica Convery came in for McDonnell.
Colgate had another opportunity for a power-play goal after an interference call at 15:29, but could not make anything of it. The Lakers gained control of the puck while being shorthanded and had a look at the goal, but Vandyk came up with the huge save to keep the Raiders on top.
Mercyhurst controlled the tempo for the final minute of the period, but could not get anything past Colgate’s defense or Vandyk.
Colgate recorded 12 shots on goal to Mercyhurst’s nine.
Coming into the third period, Mercyhurst had a full power-play opportunity but could not capitalize, keeping its deficit at three.
Mercyhurst had a great look at the goal just over four minutes into the period, but Vandyk came up with the huge save and that really seemed to take the wind out of the Lakers’ sails. Throughout the rest of the period, Colgate’s defense really stepped up, led by Vandyk and Quirion. The senior captain seemed to be all over the ice, while the sophomore goaltender made some incredible saves to keep the Raiders ahead.
Zafuto was called for a tripping penalty at 12:59 and it seemed like the most opportune time for the Lakers to score, but instead Colgate was able to tack another one onto its lead. Eldridge corralled the puck off of a Mercyhurst shot and threw the puck up the ice, scoring in an empty-net. This was Eldridge’s first shorthanded, empty net goal of the season and put the Raiders up 5-1.
Wildfang was called for tripping at 17:47, giving Mercyhurst its fifth power-play opportunity of the afternoon, but once again Colgate’s defense and Vandyk came up with the big stops to secure the victory.
Mercyhurst recorded 31 shots in the game to Colgate’s 25.
The Raiders are back in action on Dec. 1 and 2 when they take on Dartmouth and Harvard in ECAC play.
Bottom Line
– Colgate 5, Mercyhurst 1
Won-Lost Records
– The Raiders improve to 14-2-1 in the 2016-17 campaign.
– Mercyhurst drops to 5-10-1 on the year.
Key Raider Info
– Larson, Eldridge and Quirion each finished the night with two points.
– Zafuto, Sullivan and Perry each finished with a goal in the game.
– DeCaprio, Labbe and Hoppner each recorded an assist on the afternoon.
– Vandyk finished the game with a season-best 30 saves.
Inside the Box Score
– Colgate went 1-4 on power-play opportunities, while Mercyhurst went 0-5.
– The Lakers outshot Colgate 31-25 on the afternoon.
– During the 60 minutes of play, Colgate won 22-of-49 faceoffs.
– This is only the fifth time the Raiders have defeated the Lakers in series history.
From the Source: Head Coach Greg Fargo
– “It was another good team game today from our group. It feels good heading into a little break after playing two really strong games back to back. There are a lot of positives coming out of this weekend.”
– “We found ourselves behind again early but were able to work ourselves out of it and gain some momentum as the first period went on. I thought our goaltending was solid this weekend. Julia hid some of our breakdowns and allowed us to get the puck going the other way.”
Up Next
– Colgate is back home at the Class of 1965 Arena on Dec. 1 and 2 against Dartmouth and Harvard.
– The Raiders face Dartmouth on Friday, Dec. 2 at 3 p.m.
– Dartmouth holds the 31-8-3 series lead over Colgate, but the Raiders won the last meeting against the Big Green on Feb. 20, 2016.
– Colgate faces Harvard on Saturday, Dec. 1 at 3 p.m.
– The Crimson hold the 28-3-2 record over the Raiders, but Colgate won the last meeting in the ECAC playoffs on Feb. 28, 2016.
– Live stats and video will be available for both games.
