HAMILTON, N.Y. – It was a promising start for Colgate on Saturday against Vermont in the season opener, but it was the Catamounts' strong second half that did in the Raiders.
Colgate (0-1) led 3-2 after the first quarter and trailed 7-5 at halftime, but Vermont (1-0) posted 10 second-half goals and pulled away on their way to a 17-8 victory at Crown Field at Andy Kerr Stadium.
The Raiders were led by hat tricks from both Cara O'Reilly and Eliza Farriss, while Sarah Harding added a pair of goals.
O'Reilly's scoring output equaled her career best and marked the third three-goal game of her career.
Farriss' three goals marked her fourth career three-goal game.
Harding's two goals also matched her career high and was her second multi-goal game of her career.
Colgate's lead after the first 15 minutes of play came from goals from Farriss, Harding and O'Reilly.
Vermont scored five straight goals over a five minute span in the second quarter that lifted the Catamounts to a 7-4 lead. Harding's second goal of the game, late in the quarter, cut the Raiders' deficit to two goals at intermission.
Colgate was able to close the gap to just one goal twice in the third quarter before Vermont pulled away in the fourth quarter with six unanswered goals.
First-year Devon Maillet dished out a pair of assists in her collegiate debut. Farriss and Grace Bowers also tallied assists.
FROM THE SOURCE
Head Coach Kathy Taylor
"It was a tough first outing for our young team. We hung with Vermont for three quarters but in the end it was like a heavyweight fight. We did not have the experience and size to stay in the battle. Credit to Vermont. They were physical and confident and just the better team today. While it is always difficult to lose a game like that, especially at home, we will learn a great deal from the experience and film. It is early and we are young. I was proud of many aspects of today's contest. Our draw team was superb."
UP NEXT
Colgate continues the three-game homestand when the Raiders welcome Binghamton to Crown Field at Andy Kerr Stadium on Wednesday. Opening faceoff is scheduled for 5 p.m.
