ITHACA, N.Y. (02/26/10) -   Colgate senior Evan Minnick (Highlands Ranch, Colo.) put in a power-play goal early in the third period, but the Raiders were unable to recover from a two goal deficit as Cornell defeated Colgate 2-1 on Friday afternoon. The Raiders' loss gives the Big Red the advantage heading into tomorrow's second game in the best of three ECAC Quarterfinals.

 

Cornell opened the first period strong, picking up two goals in the opening stanza. The Big Red's Laura Fortino put in Cornell's first goal at 10:02 to give the host team the first lead of the game. Five minutes later sophomore Kendice Ogilvie picked up her fourth goal of the season putting the puck in past Colgate goaltender Lisa Plenderleith (Ajax, Ont.) to give the Big Red a 2-0 advantage at the end of the first period.

 

Despite taking a combined 22 shots on goal, neither team was able to light the lamp in the second period. The Raiders were successful in killing their first penalty of the game, but were unable to take advantage of three power-play opportunities on the opposite end of the ice.

 

Colgate was able to cut Cornell's lead to one less than five minutes into the third period as Minnick collected the Raiders first goal of the game with 4:26 expired in the stanza. Junior Jacquie Colborne (Calgary, Alta.) had the assist on the Colgate power-play goal.

 

The Raiders skated hard the rest of the third period, taking eight more shots on goal in an attempt to tie the game. Cornell net-minder Amanda Mazzotta stayed strong in goal stopping all eight shots including four quick shots during a flurry in front of the net.

 

Plenderleith finished with 23 saves for the Raiders, while Mazzotta had 25 for the Big Red. The two teams were fairly balanced on shots with Colgate holding a slight lead, 26-25. 

 

Colgate will look to force a third game in the series when they take on Cornell for game two tomorrow, Feb. 27 at the James Lynah Rink. Start time is scheduled for 2 p.m.