HAMITLON, N.Y. – The Crimson went toe-to-toe with the No. 5 team in the nation this afternoon but could not overcome an early deficit as the team fell on the road to Colgate. Another strong showing from first-year goaltender Ainsley Tuffy was not enough to lift the Crimson (2-7-0, 1-7-0 ECAC), who fell on the road to Raiders (13-3-0, 6-0-0 ECAC). Tuffy made 24 saves and allowed only two goals to the No. 5 team in the nation, who skated away with a 3-0 win.
 

How It Happened

 
The contest in Hamilton got off to a slow start, as neither team registered a shot on goal in the first three minutes of play. The Raiders were the first to strike, scoring a powerplay goal just under four minutes in. Following the goal, Harvard settled into the game, creating a pair of strong possessions in the attacking zone. Ella Lucia had a great look from the doorstep, but her shot was turned aside, and Jenna MacDonald had a shot from the slot blocked.
 
Harvard's defense held firm for the remainder of the first period, limiting Colgate to just five shots on goal. The Crimson outshot the Raiders 7-5 in the opening frame but found themselves trailing by a goal as they headed to the locker room at the first intermission.
 
Ainsley Tuffy was strong in net to start the second period, making six saves in the first four minutes to prevent Colgate from extending its lead. One of those saves came during a successful Crimson penalty kill. The teams traded chances throughout the period, but Harvard best opportunity came when Colgate was penalized twice, giving the Crimson a 5-on-3 powerplay for just under a minute. Despite three shots on goal, Colgate's defense held strong, killing off both penalties to keep Harvard off the board.
 
Late in the second period, the Raiders added another goal to take a 2-0 lead into the second intermission. Tuffy continued her strong play early in the third, making six saves to keep Harvard within striking distance. The Crimson defense also stood tall, killing off a penalty and limiting Colgate's scoring chances.
 
Harvard had several opportunities to score in the third, including two chances from Lucia, but the Raiders' defense remained resolute, keeping the Crimson off the scoreboard. With just under a minute remaining, Colgate sealed the win with an empty-net goal, taking a 3-0 victory.
 

Harvard Highlights

• Ainsley Tuffy made 24 saves between the pipes.
• Antonina Dinges led the team with four shots on goal.
• Mia Biotti recorded four blocked shots.

 

Up Next

The Crimson will take a brief pause from ECAC action to battle the Providence Friars in a home-and-home series next weekend. The teams will first meet at the Bright-Landry Hockey Center on Friday night at 6:00 PM before traveling to Providence to take on the Friars in Providence at 2:00 PM.