HAMILTON – Colgate fans have to wait no further for the return of college hockey as the Raider women kick off their season Thursday against nearby rival Syracuse.
The Raiders hosted the Cambridge Rivulettes over the weekend in an exhibition game, posting a 3-0 victory in Starr Rink. That contest prepared them for their season opener Thursday.
Colgate and Syracuse meet at 7 p.m. at the Tennity Ice Pavilion.
Colgate holds the slight edge over the Orange at 5-4-1. The last Raider victory came during the 2011-12 season when Colgate earned a 3-1 win at Syracuse. The most recent meeting between these two squads came just a season ago, when the Orange took home a 2-0 win in Starr Rink.
Colgate returns 15 letterwinners from a season ago after losing six to graduation. Fargo has also added a solid seven to his already impressive returning group. Among those returners are captains
Miriam Drubel,
Melissa Kueber and
Katelyn Parker. All three have made impacts on this Raiders team and look to lead Colgate into contention for an ECAC Hockey title.
The key forwards for Colgate are Drubel, Kueber,
Taylor Craig and Parker. Drubel led the team with 10 goals last season, while posting 13 assists for a total of 23 points. Kueber registered 13 points from seven goals and six assists with Craig added five goals and eight assists. Parker, the lone junior captain, recorded two goals and an assist for three season points.
On the defensive line
Nicole Gass,
Katie Case, and
Cat Quirion are a strong trio of returners. Gass tallied one goal last season and earned a team-high 15 assists. Case chipped in two goals and six assists, while Quirion notched two goals and two assists during her rookie campaign.
All three of Colgate's goaltenders return to action with
Ashlynne Rando getting the majority of playing time in 18 games last year. She held a 2.70 goals against average with a .900 save percentage.
Brittney Brooks saw action between the pipes for Colgate notching 12 starts. She posted a 2.59 GAA with a .907 save percentage, while
Susan Allen stepped on the ice in eight games finishing with a goals against average of 2.40. The senior also registered a .916 save percentage
