Waterville, Maine - With a delayed start the Mules flex and flow into a strong performance on the last regular season weekend. The Mules are looking for wins this weekend against number three ranked Amherst to hold their own number two spot. Amherst College Mammoths are the former NESCAC champions, beating number-one Middlebury College on the road 2-1 in the final in 2020. The last time Colby matched up against Amherst was in the playoffs in 2020 where Colby fell to Amherst in the Semifinal game at Middlebury. The Mules look to change that story this weekend as they celebrate their seniors who will be recognized in Sunday's game at 3:00pm.
During the first period, the Mules outshot the Mammoths 13-8. Unfortunately, just before the 8-minute mark, Amherst tucked a goal in behind senior keeper Nina Prunster. This did not phase the Mules. They dug in a continued to play their game, expecting a hard-fought 60-minutes. Prunster was not phased by the goal and made a total of seven saves in the first period. Colby heads into the intermission looking to make adjustments on their scoring plays to capitalize on the opportunities they continue to produce.
In the second period the Mules came out looking like the top-ranked team they are. Madi Aumann (pictured left) scored with an assist from Lexi Cafiero and McKinley Karpa just 28 seconds into the period on a beautiful breakaway 2v1. This was Aumann's first goal of the season, and what a pretty goal it was. The game remained 1-1 for the rest of the period while Prunster tacked on eight more saves and Colby had a total of 13 shots on goal. Amherst continues to edge out Colby in number of face-offs won and the Mules will look to capitalize in the third period on the possessions they do maintain.
Period three starts even with scoring opportunities for both teams. In the first ten minutes, Colby is able to kill a two-minute penalty. The puck changed zones many times without much possession being held. Karpa got multiple breakaways, but was unable to score. Colby defense was able to disrupt multiple fast breaks and Prunster makes crucial saves to keep the game tied against the Mammoths. With eight minutes left in the game Colby is able to control the flow of the game, not allowing Amherst a proper chance at offense. Regulation ends still in a tie. Prunster with six more crucial saves and the team able to win more face-offs than their opponents, giving them more chances to hold the puck.
Overtime is a five minute period of sudden victory. Instead of playing 5v5, overtime consists of 3v3 which makes it an extremely exhausting way to end the game. Colby dominated the overtime period with seven shots on goal, Jillian Mazzocca, Tate Senden, Meg Rittenhouse, Cafiero, and Karpa making huge plays for the offense. Prunster made two stunning saves numbers down to keep the game at a tie.
The overtime period finished still tied and the teams will play again on Sunday at 3:00pm. This won't be a game to miss as the team will be celebrating the class of 2022.
