From 1973 to 1974, Colgate Women's hockey started as an intramural team. Despite interest from the players in making the team varsity, the Athletic Director said the team would require "sustained interest." In 1974, Colgate Women's Hockey became club team. For the players from 1974 to 1983, 57% had never played on a team before Colgate women's hockey. 92% had never played hockey before, and 62% started by playing on figure skates, using masking tape over the toe picks. Many pieces of equipment and uniforms were "hand me downs" from the men's team. Players had to purchase their own sticks, skates and jerseys. The women's team practiced when ice time was available, which was usually late, after intramural games were completed, usually at 10 p.m.. Damp, smelly pads would be passed from intramural players to the women – given a brief spray of sanitizer by the student intramural equipment minder during the transfer.
During these years, the team played other colleges up and down the east coast, including Cornell, St. Lawrence, Oswego and Ithaca. The team played at Middlebury and Williams, but since they didn't have hockey rinks, they played in a curling rink. Whether checking would be allowed was determined before the game by the coaches. If a team didn't have pads for each suited player, there was no checking.
One memorable game in the early years included an 18–1 loss to Cornell, during which the Colgate goalie stopped 72 shots.
In the early years, players travelled to games in their own cars or used university vans, which they had to drive themselves. With no funding for transportation and accommodations, the players would often try to play near where some of the players lived and stayed at the player's family's house. For many games, players had to call around to find out who could make the game, what positions they could play and if they had a jersey.
Coaching the team was a volunteer job, and it was an unpaid and time-consuming one, so it was often difficult for the team to find coaches. One of Colgate women's hockey's first coaches was Mike Milbury.
Cook v. Colgate University
In 1993, the Colgate Women's Hockey Team was granted varsity status after a decision from the United States Court of Appeals, Second Circuit.
Colgate University appealed an original judgment entered in the United States District Court for the Northern District of New York, ordering it to elevate its women's club ice hockey team to varsity status and to provide equal funding and benefits to its men's and women's ice hockey programs. The plaintiffs were Jennifer Baldwin Cook, Melissa Ehlers, Christine Price, Thayer Jaques and Julie Wolff, who were all either current or former Colgate students and former members of Colgate's women's club ice hockey team. Frustrated by Colgate's continued reluctance to elevate the program to varsity status, the plaintiffs filed in court on April 10, 1990, alleging that Colgate's failure to provide a comparable ice hockey program to men and women students violated Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, 20 U.S.C. §§ 1681-1688 (1990), the regulations of the Department of Education, as well as the Fifth and Fourteenth Amendments to the Constitution. For its part, Colgate denied any discrimination and argued that its compliance with the mandates of Title IX should be measured by its overall athletic program, not by a sport-by-sport comparison. Ultimately, Cook et al., won the judgement.
1997–2001
Colgate women's hockey went varsity in 1997. The team was initially Division III but transitioned to Division I in 2001.
2001–11
In 2008-2009, Kimberly Sass set a school record for most wins in a season by a goaltender with 14 games. Sass finished the season as one of the top ranked goalies in the ECAC. Her .941 save percentage was first in the ECAC. Her 1.85 goals against average was sixth while her .656 win percentage was fourth.[2] From October 7–8, 2011: In a pair of victories over the Lindenwood Lions, Brittany Phillips accumulated a total of 10 points. In the 7–2 victory on October 7, she notched two goals, while logging an assist. One of the goals was the game-winning goal.
The following day, she had seven points (two goals, five assists) in an 8–2 win. Of the four goals she scored, two were power play goals. Her seven points ranked second in program history for most points in one game. The five assists ranked second for most assists in one game.[3] In addition, Melissa Kueber registered six points in the sweep. On October 8, she led the team with four goals scored in an 8–2 triumph over the Lions. She also notched an assist. The four tallies tied for first in program history for most scores in one game.[4]
2012–2024
Greg Fargo began as head coach in the 2012–13 season. Prior to coaching at Colgate, he was head coach for the women's ice hockey team at Elmira, in NCAA Division III, for four seasons. Fargo played his college hockey career as a goaltender, at Elmira.
In 2015-2016, Colgate had its first 22 win season, setting a program record.
Colgate had its most successful year in program history during the 2017–18 season. The Raiders finished 34–6–1, setting a new program record for wins. They finished tied with Clarkson for first in the ECAC conference, with a 19–3 (.864) record, earning their first ECAC league title. They qualified for the NCAA tournament for the first time, and advanced to the championship game after beating Northeastern in the quarterfinals by a score of 3–1, and Wisconsin in the semi-finals in a 4–3 victory.
The championship game against conference rival Clarkson was a close contest. Clarkson scored first, at 16:29 in the opening period, on a goal by forward Cassidy Vinkle, assisted by Kelly Mariani. It was the only goal Colgate goalie Julia Vandyk allowed in regulation. Colgate tied the score at 2:27 in the second period, on an equalizer by Malia Schneider, her 16th of the season, with assists from Olivia Zafuto and Bre Wilson-Bennett. The teams went scoreless in the third period and ended regulation at 1–1. At 7:55 in the first overtime, Elizabeth Giguere scored the game-winner, to give Clarkson the national championship. Finishing as national runner-up, the season saw the highest finish for the Raiders in Colgate program history. Head coach Greg Fargo won the 2017–18 Division I AHCA Coach of the Year award, given by the American Hockey Coaches Association.[5]
2024–present
On July 9, 2024, former assistant coach Stefan Decosse was named the fifth head coach of Colgate, after former head coach Greg Fargo was named head of the New York Sirens of the Professional Women's Hockey League (PWHL).[6]
Year by year
Won Championship
Lost Championship
Conference Champions
League Leader
Year
Coach
W
L
T
Conference
Conf. W
Conf. L
Conf. T
Finish
Conference Tournament
NCAA Tournament
2023–24
Greg Fargo
32
7
1
ECAC
18
4
0
1st ECAC
Won Quarterfinals vs. Brown (5–1, 5–1) Won Semifinals vs. Cornell (5–1) Won Championship vs. Clarkson (3–0)
Won Quarterfinals vs. Cornell (3–1) Lost Frozen Four vs. Wisconsin (1–3)
2022–23
Greg Fargo
32
6
2
ECAC
18
3
1
2nd ECAC
Won Quarterfinals vs. Princeton (2–3, 4–3, 2–1) Won Semifinals vs. Quinnipiac (5–1) Won Championship vs. Clarkson (8–2)
Lost Quarterfinals vs. Wisconsin (2–4)
2021–22
Greg Fargo
30
8
1
ECAC
16
5
1
3rd ECAC
Won Quarterfinals vs. Cornell (1–0 OT, 3–2) Won Semifinals vs. Quinnipiac (3–2) Won Championship vs. Yale (2–1 OT)
Lost Quarterfinals vs. Yale (1–2 OT)
2020–21
Greg Fargo
15
7
1
ECAC
10
4
0
1st ECAC
Won Semifinals vs. Quinnipiac (2–1) Won Championship vs. St. Lawrence (3–2)
Lost Quarterfinals vs. Minnesota-Duluth (0–1 OT)
2019–20
Greg Fargo
17
15
6
ECAC
11
8
3
6th ECAC
Lost Quarterfinals vs. Clarkson (0–1 OT, 0–2)
Did not qualify
2018–19
Greg Fargo
23
10
5
ECAC
15
4
3
2nd ECAC
Won Quarterfinals vs. Harvard (2–5, 4–2, 5–2) Lost Semifinals vs. Clarkson (0–2)
Did not qualify
2017–18
Greg Fargo
34
6
1
ECAC
19
3
0
Tied 1st ECAC
Won Quarterfinals vs. Harvard (6–4, 6–1) Won Semifinals vs. Cornell (5-4) Lost Championship vs. Clarkson (0-3)
Won Quarterfinals vs. Northeastern (3-1) Won Frozen Four vs. Wisconsin (4-3 2OT) Lost Championship vs. Clarkson (1-2 OT)
2016–17
Greg Fargo
22
11
3
ECAC
13
8
1
5th ECAC
Lost Quarterfinals vs. Cornell (1–2, 0–1)
Did not qualify
2015–16
Greg Fargo
22
9
7
ECAC
12
5
5
4th ECAC
Won Quarterfinals vs. Harvard (4–1, 1–4, 3–2 OT) Lost Semifinals vs. Clarkson (2–5)
Marian Lefevre Coach's Award, previously the Interest, Attitude & Dedication award. Discontinued after 2015–2016 season
Year
Player
2016
Annika Zalewski
2015
Hannah Rastrick
2014
Rachel Walsh
2013
Jessica Hootz
2012
Heidi Peterson
2011
Kim Sass
2010
Beth Rotenberg
2009
Elayna Hamashuk
2008
Mallory Johnston
2007
Carly McNaughton, Ashley Bradford
2006
Melanie Barclay
2005
Maura Kehoe
2004
Avery McGlenn
2003
Nichole Lehnhoff, Toby Mandel
2002
Kelly Roos
2001
Abigail Webb
2000
Lindsay Barton
1999
Andrew Thomas
1998
Stephanie Sand, Stephanie Racette
Don Palmateer Award, awarded by the Center Ice Club to the player whose leadership, inspiration and performance on the ice and off during her career has had the greatest impact on Colgate women's hockey.
Year
Player
2017
Cat Quirion
2016
Ashlynne Rando
2015
Class of 2015
2014
Megan Wickens
2013
Jenna Klynstra
2012
Kim Sass
2011
Jessi Waters
2010
Ali Edell
2009
Sam Hunt, Kiira Dosdall, Elin Brown
2008
Kate Wolgemuth
2007
Tara French
2006
Becky Irvine
2005
Cheryl Setchell
2004
Caitlyn Hornyak
All-time scoring leaders
Name
Years
GP
G
A
PTS
Jessie Eldridge
2015-2019
153
74
89
163
Heather Murphy
1992-02
94
77
83
160
Sam Hunt
2006-2009
136
72
69
141
Allison Paiano
2003-2006
136
54
56
110
Brittany Phillips
2010-2013
135
57
51
108
Becky Irvine
2003-2006
133
48
59
107
Charlotte Davet
1998-2000
65
43
62
105
Katie Stewart
2007-2010
122
56
43
99
Amanda Barre
2002-2005
119
52
41
93
Elin Brown
2006-2009
133
32
55
87
Jenna Klynstra
2010-2013
122
28
54
82
Marissa Dombovy
2007-2010
140
30
46
76
Cheryl Setchell
2002-2005
137
36
40
76
Stephanie Sand
1998-2000
68
38
37
75
Tara French
2004-2007
136
12
60
72
Miriam Drubel
2012-2015
129
31
38
69
Evan Minnick
2007-2010
140
29
39
68
Lauren Pufahl
1998-2001
84
30
37
67
Megan Sullivan
2015-2018
108
36
29
65
Carly McNaughton
2002–2005
138
23
41
64
Kiira Dosdall
Jessi Waters
2006-2009
2008–2011
134
137
11
12
52
51
63
63
Beth Rotenberg
2007-2010
140
30
32
62
Maura Crowell
Jocelyn Simpson
Melissa Kueber
1999-2002
2011–2014
2012–2015
104
130
124
29
26
38
32
35
23
61
61
61
Additional records
Points in a game: Heather Murphy, vs RPI 1/14/01....12
Longest point scoring streak: Sam Hunt, 14 games....21
Points in a season: Amanda Barre (04–05).................39
Most goals in a game: Heather Murphy vs Hamilton 11/30/99....4
Most assists in a season: Becky Irvine............................25
Most penalty minutes in a game: Kiira Dosdall, Ali Edell, Brittany Phillips....17
Most consecutive games with a penalty: Brittany Phillips, Kiira Dosdall.....20
Most penalty minutes in a season: Brittany Phillips........79
Most penalty minutes in a career: Brittany Phillips......238
Most power play goals in a season: Brittany Phillips...9
Most power play goals in a career: Sam Hunt.......24
Most short handed goals in a season: Jessie Eldridge....4
Most short handed goals in a career: Sam Hunt.....9
Most game willing goals in a season: Becky Irvine....9
Most game-winning goals in a career: Heather Murphy....13
Most games played in a career: Katelyn Parker....141
Most consecutive games played: Katelyn Parker...141
Most minutes in a season: Julia VanDyk....1941:41
Most minutes in a career: Rebecca Lahar....6072:38
Most shutouts in a season: Kimberly Sass....5
Most Consecutive Shutout Minutes: Jen Burtaw....231:24
Most shutouts in a career: Rebecca Lahar....13
Most wins in a season: Julia Vandyk....20
Most wins in a career: Rebecca Lahar...35
Best goals against average in a season: Brook Wheeler.....1.76
Best goals against average in a career: Jen Burtaw.........1.96
Most saves in a season: Rebecca Lahar......1083
Most saves in a career: Rebecca Lahar...3028
Best saves percentage in a season: Brook Wheeler.... .931
Best saves percentage in a career: Elayana Hamashuk... .923
Notable players
Kiira Dosdall
Sam Hunt
Tara French
Becky Irvine
Julia Vandyk, 2016–2017, set the record for most career wins with 36; most minutes in a season, 2016–2017; most wins in a season, 20, 2015–2016;
Liz Auby, 2016–2017, had a shutout streak of three games. It is tied for the longest in program history, while her minutes streak of 200:36 is the second longest in program history behind Jen Burtaw's streak of 231:24 from the 1999–2000 season, before the program entered the Division I level.
During the 2008–09 season, Kimberly Sass earned ECAC Rookie of the Week honors five times and the ECAC Goaltender of the Week award once. On November 8, 2009, she recorded a career and season high 46 saves as the Raiders defeated Princeton. Against the Yale Bulldogs on January 24, Sass earned a shutout. In three different games, she surpassed 40 saves and eclipsed 30 saves in ten games.
Maura Crowell, class of 2002, is the head coach of the University of Minnesota Duluth Bulldogs, and was head coach for the USA U-18 women's national ice hockey team in 2017-2018 and 2018-19.
International
Livia Altmann, Swiss National Team, Sochi Olympics, Bronze Medal (2014)
Livia Altmann, Swiss National Team, Pyeongchang Olympics (2018)
Livia Altmann, Switzerland National Team – Nation Cup (2017–2018)
Shae Labbe, Canadian National Women's Development Team (2016); 2014–15 Canada Under-18 Team
Brittany Phillips, IIHF World U18 Championships, Canada, Silver (2009)
Kaila Pinkney, IIHF World U18 Championships, Canada, Gold
Lauren Wildfang, IIHF World U18 Championships, Canada, Gold (2014)
In one particular tense rivalry game against Clarkson University, fans Denis and Mateus notably dressed as hot dogs to distract the other team. The method was largely considered successful, as the Raiders walked away with a 4-1 victory.[21]
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