The University of New Hampshire women’s hockey team needed a power play goal in the final two minutes of regulation to get past Syracuse University, 4-3, in the season opener for both teams Friday at Tennity Ice Pavilion in Syracuse, N.Y.

The Orange, beginning their fifth season in Division I, had won two of the three previous contests between the teams, including a 2-1 win last year in Durham.

The lead changed hands several times. Sara Carlson staked the Wildcats to a 1-0 lead in the opening minutes of the game and Lauren Kirwan and Jessica Hitchcock put UNH ahead 3-2 midway through the second period.

Syracuse tied the game in the second period and it stayed that way until Kristina Lavoie scored on a power play with 1:34 left in the third period.

UNH was outshot 38-20, with ’Cats goalie Vilma Vaattovaara making 35 saves.

The ’Cats wrap up a two-game road trip through upstate New York today when they play at Colgate.

Field hockey

UNH 2, Albany 1 (ot): At Durham, the ’Cats (6-5, 2-0) mounted a furious rally to overtake the Great Danes (5-7, 0-2) in an America East matchup at Memorial Field. Casey Pohlmeyer tied the game with 20 seconds in regulation and Meg Flately scored the game-winner just over six minutes in overtime.

Women’s volleyball

Springfield 3, Colby-Sawyer 0: At Springfield, Mass., the Chargers (8-11) couldn’t stay up with the red-hot Pride (15-3), falling 25-22, 25-23, 25-12.

Springfield is coached by former longtime Plymouth State coach Moira Long. Emilee McBride of Strafford had seven kills and three blocks for the Chargers.

Yale 3, Dartmouth 1: At Hanover, the Big Green (2-12, 1-4) dropped the first two sets and never recovered as they fell 13-25, 14-25, 25-22 and 17-25 to the Bulldogs (8-5, 4-0) in an Ivy League matchup at Leede Arena.

UNH 3, Stony Brook 1: The Wildcats (12-8, 4-0) stayed unbeaten in America East by dispatching the Seawolves (6-10, 1-2) in four games, 25-19, 25-22, 20-25 and 25-16.

Morgan Thatcher led UNH with a match-high 18 kills.

Skidmore 3, Keene State 0: At Schenectady, N.Y., the Owls (9-10) were no match for the Thoroughbreds (13-4), who reeled off their 11 straight win and did it in straight sets, 25-19, 25-15 and 25-16.

Freshman Alexis Michal of Windham had seven assists and seven digs for the Owls.