MIDDLETOWN, CT.- The Wesleyan women's hockey team fell to nationally ranked Colby at Spurrier-Snyder Rink Friday afternoon by a score of 4-0. The Mules jumped out to an early lead thanks to a three-goal first period. 10th ranked Colby added one more goal early in the second period before playing on the defensive end for the final period and a half. Wesleyan drops their 9^th straight game to fall to 9-11-1 (3-10 NESCAC) while Colby improves to 13-6 (8-6 NESCAC).

The Mules didn't waste much time getting on the board, scoring just three minutes in on their first shot on net. Meg Rittenhouse intercepted a Wesleyan pass in their own zone, creating a one-on-one situation with a Cardinal defender. Rittenhouse drifted right and let a wrist shot go that was able to find it's way past Rei Halloran '23 for the first goal of the contest. Wesleyan had a power play chance in the ensuing minutes, but their two shot attempts were turned away by the Mules' defense.

No. 10 Colby added their second goal of the period midway through the first. The Mules worked the puck around, eventually finding McKinley Karpa who one-timed a slapshot that beat Halloran glove-side to give them an insurance goal. After a handful of Wesleyan shots on the other end, Colby added their third and final goal of the period right after at the 15:37 mark of the 1^st. Georgia Pettygrove cashed in on her first goal of the game, gathering the puck in the middle of the ice before unloading a wrist shot that went over Halloran's left shoulder.

Colby put through their 4^th and final goal of the game to open the 2^nd period. Just one minute in, the Mules added goal number four on a counter-attack. After a Jenna Stevens '24 shot went wide, Courtney Schumacher eventually gathered the puck and beat the Wesleyan defense, finishing a backhanded shot from a very difficult angle nearly parallel to the goal.

The Cardinals made a change with Cam McCrystal '24 entering the game after the 4^th goal. The junior goalie made 12 saves in her nearly two period of action. Both teams defenses held strong over the final 38+ minutes of the game, ultimately leading to the game ending 4-0.

Wesleyan finished the game outshooting the Mules 28-23 on shots on goal. McCrystal made 12 saves to Mandy Busky's 28. Chiara Christie '23 blocked three shots, while Stevens blocked two.

Wesleyan will return to the ice in a rematch against the 10^th ranked Mules tomorrow, February 11^th at Spurrier-Snyder Rink.