Release and photo courtesy of Norwich University Athletics Communications. 

WATERVILLE, Maine- The ninth ranked Norwich University Women's Ice Hockey team fell in the first round of the NCAA Tournament to tenth ranked Colby College 5-2 Wednesday night at the O'Neil O'Donnell Forum.

The Mules were off and running from the get go with Courtney Schumacher scoring 48 seconds into the contest on the game's first shot. As the frame unfolded, the Cadets started to generate offensive pressure. However, Colby responded with two goals within 1:02 to take a three goal advantage into intermission despite each team having eleven shots on goal. Norwich got on the board in the third with goals from Melianne Reynolds (Sherbrooke, Que.) and Olivia Boyer (Saint Paul, Minn.) while Madison Brunet (Timmins, On.) made 14 saves in relief.

With a final record of 19-8-2, the New England Hockey Conference (NEHC) Champion Cadets appeared in their twelfth NCAA Tournament in the program's 15 year existence, which also includes 11 NEHC titles.