HARTFORD, Conn. – Rachel Romanowsky and C.J. Yanofsky scored five goals apiece in a steady rain to lift Trinity to an 18-15 victory over Colby in the season opener for both teams in women’s lacrosse action Saturday.

The Bantams (1-0) never trailed and scored the final three goals of the first half for an 11-7 lead at intermission.

The Mules (0-1) had trailed 8-3 at one point before scoring four straight to cut the lead to 8-7 with 6:09 remaining in the first half. All-American Kate Sheridan led the Mules with six goals and two assists, while Caroline Atwater had three goals in her first collegiate game for Colby.

Women’s hockey

Colby 3, Middlebury 2

MIDDLEBURY, Vt. – Liz Osgood scored 13:16 into overtime to lift Colby College to an upset victory over top-seeded Middlebury College in a NESCAC semifinals women’s hockey matchup on Saturday.

Becky Julian’s shot was saved, but Osgood pounced on the rebound and knocked in the game-winning goal on a power play to send the fourth-seeded Mules (15-8-3) to the league finals for the first time in program history.

Lacey Brown was key in goal for Colby. She stopped 30 shots in the opening two periods and had a 12-1 save advantage over Panther’s goalie Lexi Bloom in the third period.

Softball

Penn State 5, Maine 1

CLEARWATER, Fla. – The University of Maine Black Bears dropped a 5-1 decision to Penn State in softball action at the EC Moore Complex in the 2008 USF Under Amour Invitational on Saturday.

The Black Bears (0-16) trailed 5-0 heading into the seventh, but found a ray of hope when Alexis Souhlaris led off with a walk and advanced to third on a pair of wild pitches.

Stephanie George followed three batters later by drawing an RBI bases-loaded walk with no outs. But, the next three batters struck out, popped out and struck out to conclude the game.

Souhlaris got the start in the pitching circle for the Black Bears, but was pulled after three innings of work. She yielded five runs on seven hits with no strikeouts or walks, and suffered the loss. Cayleigh Monrano came on in relief and turned in a strong performance, allowing just two hits and no runs with two strikeouts and no walks over the final three innings.

Men’s lacrosse

Colby 9, Williams 8

WATERVILLE – Drew Piekarski scored in the second overtime period to lift Colby College to a 9-8 season-opening victory over Williams College in men’s lacrosse action on Saturday.

The Mules (1-0) led 1-0 after the first period and had a 4-1 lead before the Ephs (0-1) battled back to tie the game at four at halftime.

Caddy Brooks finished with three goals and one assist for Colby.

Men’s hockey

Trinity 2, Colby 1

WATERVILLE – Trinity College scored two early goals and held on as the Bantams took a 2-1 win over top-seeded Colby College in a NESCAC semifinal game at Alfond Rink on Saturday.

Adam Houli scored 3:35 into the first period off a breakaway to get the Bantams (14-10-2) on the board first. Christopher Diozzi, who had an assist on Houli’s goal, tallied at 12:59 on a power play to put Trinity up 2-0 after one period.

The Mules (15-9-1) got a power play goal of their own at 4:53 of the second period when defensemen Joe Rothwell tallied on a blast from the point. Arthur Fritch and Josh Reber assists on Colby’s only goal of the game.

Men’s basketball

UNE 77, Husson 72

BANGOR – Isaac Stickney had a double-double with 22 points and 10 rebounds to lead the University of New England to a 77-72 victory over Husson College in a ECAC semifinal game in men’s basketball action on Saturday.

The Nor’easters (16-11) battled for a five-point edge at halftime, a differential that also defined the final analysis.

Brock Bradford notched a team-high 22 points, including five 3-point baskets for the Eagles (18-10). Scott Kissinger had a double-double with 15 points and 17 rebounds in the losing effort.

Brandeis 68, Bowdoin 53

WALTHAM, Mass. – Kevin Olson scored 15 points in a well-balanced attack to lead Brandeis University to a 68-53 victory over Bowdoin College in men’s basketball action Saturday.

The Judges (22-5) spread out their offense among several starters. Joe Coppens contributed 14 points, while Terrell Hollins pitched in with 11 points.

The Polar Bears (22-7) were paced by the team-leading Jordan Fliegel with 15 points, while Mark Phillips nailed down 12 points and Andrew Hippert tossed in 10 points.