HAMILTON, N.Y. - The sixth-ranked Colgate Raiders scored the first three goals of the game Saturday and held on late to defeat Vermont 3-2 in non-conference action from the Class of 1965 Rink. With the setback Vermont is now 4-3-1 on the campaign while the Raiders remain undefeated at 9-0-0, the best start in program history.
COACH'S QUOTE
"We learned a lot about ourselves this weekend, and especially today," Head Coach Jim Plumer said. "Colgate is a top team for a reason and if we don't play with focus and urgency then it can get ugly out there. That said, I'm extremely proud of our response in the final two periods to make it a game. Jessie McPherson was outstanding today and really kept us in the game until the team found its way back. Natálie Mlynková was clutch as well with two goals to bring us back. We've got to play with a high level of focus and urgency going forward."
HOW IT HAPPENED
- The Raiders opened the scoring 1:18 into the contest. UVM's Jessie McPherson made an initial save on Kaitlyn O'Donohoe but the rebound came right to Dara Greig who tucked it home.
- Greig struck again on the power play with 50 seconds left in the opening period. At the side of the net Greig had multiple chances in traffic, McPherson again made the initial save but her third attempt found the back of the net.
- 8:12 into the second period Danielle Serdachny made it 3-0 with a wicked wrist shot. In transition Serdachny labeled a shot under the bar.
- With 8:12 left in the middle frame Natálie Mlynková got the Catamounts on the board with a power play tally. Sini Karjalainen passed to Theresa Schafzahl along the boards. Schafzahl fed a cross-ice pass to Mlynková and she beat Colgate's Hannah Murphy with a quick wrist shot.
- Mlynková struck again with nine seconds left in the period. In transition, she fired a backhander that Murphy bobbled and deflected into her own net. Schafzahl and Anna Podein earned assists on the tally.
- The Catamounts pressed for an equalizer in the third period but couldn't solve Murphy again. She made 13 saves in the closing 20 minutes.
INSIDE THE BOX SCORE
- This afternoon was Natálie Mlynková's second career multi-goal game.
- Vermont's Jessie McPherson made a season-high 36 saves this afternoon.
- First year Krista Krista Parkkonen blocked a game-high four shots for the Catamounts.
UP NEXT
The Catamounts return home next weekend as they welcome Boston College to the Gut. The Hockey East weekend will be played at 3 p.m. on Friday and Saturday. Both contests will air on ESPN+ with Rob Ryan on the call.
Saturday is Vermont Lottery Game Night. Visit Vermont Lottery in the lobby of Gutterson Fieldhouse to spin the wheel for the chance to win a variety of prizes.
The weekend games will also be available on a pay-per-view basis internationally at https://portal.stretchinternet.com/hockeyeast. Subscriptions to the service are available for $9.99 USD per month or $4.99 USD for individual games.
