HAMILTON - Colgate fell behind in the opening minute on Friday, but two goals from
Alexis Petford, including a late winner, were enough to secure the Raiders' 19th consecutive victory against Union College at the Class of 1965 Arena.
HOW IT HAPPENED
Union took the lead right away on Friday, going in front 1-0 when Karianne Engelbert fired in from close range at 0:39, assisted by Megan Duplantie.Â
Playing from behind, Colgate was unable to exert much attacking pressure in the following minutes as they looked to avoid a loss to Union, which would be their first in over 50 total meetings.
As the opening period moved along, the Raiders began taking over, but they were unable to cash in despite a power play opportunity. That all changed at 16:16, when Alexis Petford, assisted by Alexia Aubin and Emma Beauchamp, tied the game at one for the Raiders.Â
Despite a dominant performance and a late goal in the period, Colgate and Union went to the first intermission even at one.
The second period began with several big chances for Colgate, but more saves from Union goaltender Emma Rheaume prevented the Raiders from taking the lead. A Garnet Chargers power play quickly put the pressure on Colgate's defense, but Farah Walker remained resilient in goal, keeping the score tied in a back-and-forth stretch.
Neither team found the back of the net in the waning minutes of the second period, and the game remained tied 1-1 going into a critical last 20 minutes.
The final period began much like the second, with both teams unable to take the lead despite major chances, but a five-minute major penalty by Union's Peyton O'Neill gave the Raiders their best chance to go in front. Still, Colgate couldn't beat Rheaume in net, and the third period crossed the halfway mark without a goal to separate the teams.
With the minutes ticking down, it looked unlikely that the Raiders could find a winner in regulation, but at 17:56, Petford scored her second goal of the game, putting Colgate up 2-1 off assists by Beauchamp and Aubin and giving the Raiders a massive late advantage.
A late penalty gave Union an opportunity to tie the game, but Colgate held strong on defense and earned a hard-fought 2-1 victory to open the weekend.
GAME NOTES
- With the victory, Colgate moves to 48-0-3 against Union College all-time and extends their win streak to 19.
- Alexis Petford's brace gave her 25 points this season, her first time reaching the quarter-century mark at Colgate.
- With two assists, Alexia Aubin now leads the team with 20 on the season.
- Emma Beauchamp's two assists doubled her career total.
- The victory gave the Raiders their second four-game win streak of the 2025-26 season.
- Farah Walker made 20 saves between the pipes.
UP NEXT
The Raiders (16-13-1, 11-7-1 ECAC) close out their home schedule tomorrow, facing Rensselaer at 3 p.m. at the Class of 1965 Arena on Senior Day. The game will air on ESPN+.
