But the Wildcats had the man-advantage nine times, and the two teams combined for 17 penalties and four power-play goals, including UNH's second goal with 5:27 left in third period. Harvard's defensive coverage broke down in front of the net, allowing UNH's top two scores to work against one defender. Wildcat senior center Carisa Zaban dished to Holmes, who sent home an open shot in the slot.

The Crimson received a boost from its rookie class in the opening minutes, as Harvard's first two goals came from freshmen Kalen Ingram and Jamie Hagerman, respectively.

Ingram, who joined the time Monday after spending the fall season with the field hockey team, skated onto the ice 55 seconds into the game with the second line for a face-off in the UNH zone. Junior center Kiirsten Suurkask won the draw to Ingram, who threw a shot on goal barely one second into her collegiate career. And the puck floated past Roberts untouched.

About six minutes later, a holding penalty against UNH freshman defenseman Randi Hickox gave Harvard its first man-advantage of the game. Sophomore defenseman Angela Ruggiero swung the puck to Hagerman, her blueline partner on the Crimson power-play unit, at center point. Hagerman sent a slapper towards the net and it found its way past Roberts, thanks in part to a deflection in front by Francisco.

UNH cut the lead in half about two minutes later, playing with a five-on-three advantage. Handling the puck behind the net, Zaban fooled Kuusisto into guarding the right corner of the goal, then she sent a pass to Holmes at the left post for the available shot.

Botterill gave the Crimson a 3-1 lead heading into the first intermission. On another Crimson power play with 2:08 left in the first, Hagerman fired another slapshot from the point. The rebound bounced away from Roberts into the right circle, where Botterill gathered in the puck and sent it top-shelf for her first goal of the game.