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.