AMHERST, MA -- The Colby College women's hockey team capitalized on early momentum and a second-period insurance goal to earn a 2–0 victory over #2 Amherst on Friday night, holding off sustained pressure from the Mammoths in a tightly contested match-up.
The Mules struck just 57 seconds into the game, converting on their first real opportunity. Courtney Schumacher finished a play set up by Maria Pierce and Marion Legge to give Colby a quick 1–0 advantage. The early goal shifted momentum but did little to slow Amherst's response.
Following the opening tally, Amherst settled into the game and began to control play through the neutral zone. The Mammoths generated a steady stream of chances throughout the remainder of the first period, including a shot off the post by Gretchen Dann and multiple looks from Maeve Reynolds, Marie-Eve Marleau, and Bea Flynn. Ally Martiniello stood tall in the net for Colby, turning aside every Amherst attempt as the Mammoths outshot the Mules during extended offensive-zone stretches.
Defensively, Amherst answered Colby's early pressure with strong shot blocking and disciplined positioning. Natalie Stott made several key saves to keep the game within reach, including stops on Addie Paskowski and Beth Sinson late in the period. Despite Amherst's territorial advantage, Colby carried its 1–0 lead into the first intermission.
The Mammoths continued to push early in the second period, again generating quality looks at even strength. Amherst came inches from tying the game when Annabel Raffin rang a shot off the pipe at 2:30, part of a flurry of chances that tested Martiniello from close range.
Amherst earned multiple power-play opportunities throughout the middle frame, including a lengthy advantage at 4:48, but Colby's penalty kill held firm. The Mules blocked shots and cleared rebounds effectively, frustrating the Mammoths' attempts to break through.
Colby doubled its lead midway through the second period. At 12:20, Addie Paskowski finished a sequence in front of the net off assists from Molly Lefebvre and K. Michaud-Nolan, making it 2–0. The goal came against the run of play and proved to be the difference in the contest.
The third period saw Amherst press relentlessly in search of a response. The Mammoths controlled faceoffs—winning 29 draws overall—and spent long stretches in the offensive zone, firing shots from the point and the slot. Despite the pressure, Martiniello continued to deny Amherst, making a series of key saves to preserve the shutout.
Amherst earned another power play at 10:24 of the third period and generated multiple shot attempts, but Colby's defensive structure remained intact. Stott kept the Mammoths within striking distance with timely saves during Colby's limited offensive pushes, allowing Amherst to stay aggressive late.
With just under three minutes remaining, Amherst pulled its goalie in an attempt to spark a comeback. The Mammoths created several final chances, including late looks from Bea Flynn, Sami Lester, and Alejandra Ubarri, but none found the back of the net before time expired.
Stott finished the afternoon with 12 saves, anchoring a composed defensive effort that limited Colby's chances after the opening minutes. Despite the loss, Amherst controlled much of the possession and faceoff play, while Colby's efficiency and goaltending proved decisive.
