HAMILTON – Three Raiders scored two goals apiece but Siena's big second half pushed the visitors past Colgate 11-7 in the season opener Thursday evening at Andy Kerr Stadium.
Kyra Lucey, Sarah Marcovici, and Caroline Panzirer each netted two tallies to lead the Raiders offensively. Colgate outshot Siena 26-23 and held a 20-15 edge in shots on frame but the Saints capitalized on their opportunities led by a hat trick from Katy Wangsness.
Colgate dominated the draw, winning 16 of 19 attempts, led by seven from Cara O'Reilly who needs just two more to tie Haley O'Hanlon '18 for the most draw controls in program history (217). O'Reilly set the single-season record with 116 draw controls in 2022.
Colgate countered Siena's early goal with back-to-back markers to flip the lead in the opening stanza. Two freshmen were the first-quarter stars with Marcovici and Panzirer scoring the first goals of the season before Siena answered with two tallies to lead 3-2 after one quarter.
Strong production on both sides of the field helped Colgate outscore the Saints 4-0 in the second term. Helena Morrison made three saves in the quarter and back-to-back quick goals from Lucey put the Raiders back in front. Devon Maillet added her first goal of the season before Panzirer finished a feed from Kendall Belanger to give Colgate a 6-3 lead at the half.
Siena found its rhythm in the second half and raced on an 8-0 surge, including a 7-0 run in the third quarter, to turn the tide. Wangsness scored the last two in the run to complete the hat trick and push the Saints' lead to 10-6 early in the fourth quarter.
Marcovici found the back of the net in the fourth quarter but the equal frame ended with each team scoring once and Siena held on for the 11-7 season-opening triumph.
FROM THE SOURCE
Head Coach Kathy Taylor
"I was pleased with the way we started and played the first half of the game today. Our draw team gave us ample opportunities to score but we struggled to find the back of the net, especially in the second half. I saw a lot of good and promising actions from our young players. We just have to be more consistent. We look forward to learning from this and moving to Cornell on Tuesday."
UP NEXT
Colgate makes the short trip to Ithaca, N.Y., to face Cornell on Tuesday at 5 p.m.
