The Sacred Heart University men's ice hockey team fell 6-2 to the Colgate Raiders in their season opener this past Friday night in Hamilton, N.Y.

Two goals by Colgate midway through the first period left Sacred Heart in a hole they could not dig themselves out of, even after freshman Reade Wolansky, St. Albert, Alberta, answered back five minutes later with a power play goal.

The Raiders managed to score one more time before the first period ended, as the Pioneers were left trailing 3-1 at the first intermission. The game snapped back into action halfway through the second period when Colgate struck again, adding another goal to their lead.

The Pioneers capitalized on a power play goal by junior Eric Giosa, Detroit, only moments later, cutting the Raiders lead to two. However, two more goals late in the game put the game on ice for Colgate.

"It was our first game out and we have some things to work on," said coach Shaun Hannah, "We need to compete harder for loose pucks and make better plays…Colgate has a good club, they executed well."

The anticipation for this year's ice hockey season can be felt all over campus, arriving almost as quickly as the first October chill. Men's ice hockey is one of Sacred Heart University's most highly touted Division I sports teams.

The Pioneers and their fans have high expectations for the rest of the season, even though Sacred Heart was ranked fifth in the Atlantic Hockey preseason coaches poll, behind RIT, Air Force, Army and Mercyhurst.

The drop in ranking can be attributed to losing two standout seniors to graduation last year, in Pierre-Luc O'Brien, Sacred Heart's all-time leading goal scorer, and goalie Jason Smith, who set the Sacred Heart record for wins for a goalie in a season. Still the Pioneers are setting out to leave a big impression on the opposition, welcoming back key players such as captain Alexandre Parent, Boisbriend, Quebec, and junior goalie Stefan Drew, Oakbank, Manitoba, who are joined by a talented group of freshman has joined the team this year, eager to make names for themselves and cut up clean ice.

Most notably, Drew will be the most recent pawn in Hannah's ongoing depth chart long term plans. Before Smith came to SHU, Kevin LaPointe, who earned a tryout for the Detroit Red Wings, was the starter between the pipes.

Upon his graduation, Smith stepped in amidst a plethora of questions.

Could he fill in for LaPointe? Could he take a team on his shoulders? Is he capable of being consistent throughout a whole season?

It is clear he answered.

Now, the Pioneers hope Smith's successor carries the tradition.

Falling to Colgate wasn't the most desired outcome to start the season, but hopes are still high.

Players and coaches look to rebound this Saturday against Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI) in Troy, N.Y. before making their first homestand of the year.

"Being a freshman, I am looking forward to the first home game and playing in front of friends from school," said Evan "Chip" Mladenoff, freshman forward from Leawood, Kan. said. "Just being in that home environment."

"It's always good to play at home especially in a familiar environment with the home fans; It gets a team going," said Hannah, "we also have a lot of games on the road we need to win, too.

That would jumpstart this clean slate.

The Pioneers first home game of the season is scheduled for October 26th at the Milford Ice Pavilion, where they take on Canisius College.