Box Score
SYRACUSE, N.Y. (10/6/10) – The No. 24 men's soccer team (5-2-3) suffered its second setback of the season when it fell to Syracuse 3-2 in its sixth overtime game of the season. Despite coming back from a two-goal deficit in the closing minutes of regulation time, the team could not find the goal it needed to win the game.
The match started off with Colgate controlling the pace of the game, holding majority of the ball possession. However, as the half continued, the Syracuse offense picked up its speed, creating a series of opportunities and eventually finding success off a corner kick in the 20th minute. Just one minute later, the Orange found the back of the net again, giving the team a 2-0 lead at half time.
In the second half, the ball continued to remain in the Raiders' defensive end as the team struggled to generate its offense. Halfway through the second half however, Colgate began to find its rhythm and in the 75th minute found its first goal when
Wade Martin (St. Louis, Mo.) found a space between two defenders on the wing and passed the ball to
Shane Conlin (Randolph, N.J.) who hammered the ball past the Syracuse goalkeeper to make the score 2-1.
The Raiders continued to dominate the attack in the closing minutes and with just five minutes left, found the back of the net again when
Steven Miller (Ivyland, Pa.) connected with a pass from
Matt Schuber (Webster, N.Y.) to equalize the score at 2-2 and force the game into overtime.
The Raiders carried their momentum into overtime as they continued to test the Syracuse defense, but it was Syracuse that found the golden goal from a free kick in the final minute of the first overtime period, to win its second game of the season.
“I am proud of how our guys fought back,” stated head coach
Erik Ronning. “I do believe we deserved better however, you can not expect to win games when you give up three goals. We will grow from this experience and become stronger as we get ready for Army this weekend.”
Colgate will resume play this weekend when it travels to West Point, N.Y. for a Patriot League matchup against Army on Saturday, Oct. 9 at 7 p.m.
