CASTLETON, VT - Colby College (7-0) defeated the SUNY Potsdam women's hockey team (6-6)
5-1 in the first round of the Castleton Invitational on Friday night. Freshman defenseman Rachelle Cain (Skaneateles, N.Y./Syracuse Valley Eagles) scored for the Bears.
The Mules pressed Potsdam from the outset. Just 11 seconds into the contest, Colby took the lead on a goal from Meg Rittenhouse. The goal only fired up the Mules and they kept junior goalie Ellie Zurfluh (Arvada, Colo./Team Colorado) busy for the entire period. At 6:32, Rittenhouse struck again, this time on the man advantage, and Colby led 2-0. Zurfluh finished with 21 saves through 20 minutes.
The Mules continued to kick in the second period and it paid off. At 8:37, Audrey Shirer netted Colby's third goal of the night. With the ice remaining tilted toward Potsdam's goal, the Mules added a fourth with 47 seconds left in the period. Bri Michaud-Nolan sent her team into the second intermission with a 4-0 lead.
The Bears sophomore goalie Hannah Barrett (Tonawanda, N.Y./Niagara Jr. Purple Eagles) started the third period in goal. Potsdam went on the power play 1:01 into the last 20 minutes and made the most of it. At 2:10, Rachelle Cain scored with assists from senior assistant captain Taylor Swamp (Akwesasne, N.Y./St. Lawrence Steel) and freshman forward Rebecca Cain (Skaneateles, N.Y./Syracuse Valley Eagles). The goal only slowed Colby's momentum. At 14:40, Courtney Schumacher made it 5-1 with the contest's final goal.
Zurfluh finished with 33 saves and four goals allowed in the first two periods and Barrett stopped five shots and allowed a goal in the third. Mandy Busky made 18 saves to earn the win for the Mules. Both teams were 1-for-5 on the power play.
The Bears now face Rivier University in the tournament consolation tomorrow afternoon at 1 p.m.