Box Score

WASHINGTON, D.C. (11/11/11) – The Colgate men's soccer team advanced to the Patriot League Championship game on Friday afternoon when it defeated Lehigh 5-4 in penalty kicks in the second semifinal game of the 2011 Patriot League Tournament in Washington, D.C.
 
After a scoreless double overtime game, the Raiders were able to advance on penalty kicks, scoring all five of their penalties while senior goalkeeper Chris Miller was able to make a save on Lehigh's second kick to give the team the win.
 
In the first half both teams came out looking to settle down and control the game in the opening minutes. As the half continued, Colgate (11-4-6, 4-1-2 PL) began to build its offense as it searched for a hole in the Mountain Hawks' solid defense. Midway through the half however, it was Lehigh that became the more attacking, forcing junior goalie Grant Reed to make some strong saves. The Raiders then found some scoring opportunities late in the half. The first came from a crossed ball by junior Shane Conlin that missed the foot of sophomore Nick Arpey who was sliding into the box. Minutes later, a free kick by junior Mike Garzi found its way to PL Offensive Player of the Year senior Steven Miller in the box, who headed it towards the left corner but it was saved by PL Goalkeeper of the Year, Ciaran Nugent, ending the first half with the score at 0-0.
 
The pace picked up in the second half with both teams trying to find an early lead. After a first semifinal game that was determined by penalty kicks, both teams were looking to settle this game in regulation time. As the half progressed, both teams continued to battle it out on the field but neither one could find a goal.The Raiders then came close to scoring with 16 minutes left on the clock when a shot from Steven Miller hit the crossbar, but at the end of 90 minutes of play neither team had found the back of the net, sending the game into overtime.  
 
After a scoreless first overtime period in which Lehigh found a goal but it was waved off because the ball had been out of bounds prior to entering the frame, both teams came into the second 10 minutes of additional play determined to score the Golden Goal. The Raiders struck first, almost beating Nugent with a left-footed strike from the top of the box by senior co-captain Mike Reese, but it went just wide of the left post to keep the game scoreless. Miller then came close again with three minutes left when he was able to split two defenders and use his strength to find a shot but it was blocked by PL Defensive Player of the Year, Kevin Strunk. Colgate continued to find some close attempts in front of the goal but at the end of 110 minutes of scoreless action, unlike the regular-season matchup between the two teams, this time the game would have to be decided in penalty kicks.
 
Senior goalkeeper and 2010 PL Goalkeeper of the Year, Chris Miller, then stepped into net for the Raiders going into the penalty kicks. Lehigh took the first kick, with Miller coming close to saving it but could not make the stop. Junior Mike Reidy then stepped up to take the first penalty for Colgate, sending the keeper the wrong way and finding the top right corner to put the score at 1-1. Chris Miller then had an incredible save on the second Lehigh kick that was heading into the low left corner to give the Raiders the advantage. After a second Colgate kick that was scored by sophomore Barrett Metzger, Miller then made a second save on the Mountain Hawks' third kick but the linesman called him for stepping over the line before the kick so the penalty was retaken and scored this time around. The call did not disrupt the Raiders, with junior Shane Conlin, senior Mike Reese and finally Steven Miller going on to score the next three kicks to give Colgate the 5-4 win.
 
“We played very well on both sides of the ball and I thought we were unlucky not to score in the second half,” stated head coach Erik Ronning. “I am very proud of our young men's effort and we are very excited to be playing for a championship. Hats off to Lehigh who played very well.”
 
The Raiders will face No. 1 seed and host, American, in the Patriot League Championship game on Sunday, Nov. 13 at 1 p.m. in Washington, D.C. The Eagles defeated No. 4 seed Navy in the first semifinal 4-3 in penalty kicks as well. American won the regular-season matchup 3-0 on its home field.