HAMILTON, N.Y. (9/7/09) -   Senior Alex Weekes (Stroudsburg, Pa.) scored two goals, including an overtime penalty kick to win the game as the Raiders defeated area rival Syracuse University, 3-2, Monday night on Van Doren Field.  

 

“I am very proud of the way we competed this evening against a very good Syracuse team,” stated head coach Erik Ronning.  “Although we must do a much better job defending, from an attacking standpoint, I felt we started finding our rhythm as the game progressed.”

 

The first half was a preview of the offensive battle that would ensue later in the second session. The Raiders (2-1-0) out-shot the Orange 10-5 in the first half but Syracuse (1-2-0) rookie goalkeeper Ryan Jones made five saves to keep Colgate off the scoreboard.  

 

It was in the second half that both teams really turned on the pressure, combining for four goals in the final 45 minutes of regulation, thrilling the large crowd gathered under the Van Doren lights.

 

Syracuse was the first to score, two minutes into the second half, as senior Tom Perevegyencev got by one defender for a one-on-one with goalie Chris Miller (Dallas, Texas), putting the ball into the high right corner of the net.  

 

Weekes tied it up eleven minutes later, scoring on a shot that went through three defenders to the top center of the goal.  The Raiders earned their first lead of the match with 16 minutes remaining as Chris Ross (Hurst, Texas) put on a dazzling performance, dribbling to the right of a pair of defenders then cutting back left to score just inside the box. 

 

The Orange however, refused to fall easily, netting the game-tying goal just a minute later, at 75:06, sending the game into extra minutes.  Freshman Mark Brode had the equalizer for Syracuse off a throw-in pass from Justin Arena.  

 

It appeared that it was still anyone's game in the overtime period, as the Raiders and Orange both tallied shots on goal.  As time was winding down, Colgate began to take the ball down the field for another scoring opportunity.  With 2:53 left in the extra session, Syracuse's Daniel McGowan was called with a handball inside the box.  This set up a penalty kick for Weekes, Colgate's leading scorer. Jones got a tip on Weekes' shot but it stayed on course sailing just out of reach into the high right corner for the hard fought victory.  

 

Miller finished the game with three saves as the Raiders out-shot Syracuse 25-16, and led in corner kicks 5-3. 

 

“Our players earned this one,” noted Ronning. “We definitely showed signs of progress this evening but have a long way to go.”

 

The Raiders will be on the road this Friday, Sept. 11th, as they travel to take on Albany at 4 p.m.

Box Score