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HAMILTON, N.Y. (9/18/11) - The Colgate men's soccer team secured its fifth win of the season when it defeated LIU 2-1 in its final game of the CU Classic on Sunday afternoon. The team completed the classic with a 1-1 record.

Senior co-captain Steven Miller and junior Shane Conlin scored a goal each for the Raiders. Miller and senior co-captain Mike Reese were named to the all-tournament team.

Colgate (5-1-1) came out to an attacking start in the first half, opening the game with a flurry of scoring attempts but could not get past goalkeeper Adam Janssen. The Raiders continued to hold majority of the ball possession as they worked the ball around, looking for any openings. Midway through the half, the Blackbirds attempted to generate some offense but could not get past Colgate's defense that limited them to only one shot. As the first 45 minutes of play came to an end, the Raiders were able to create some more opportunities but despite outshooting LIU 8-1, the game remained scoreless at half time.

The second half started similar to the first, with Colgate carrying its offensive rhythm and attacking the Blackbirds' net early. This time however, the Raiders were able to find success at the 61:29 mark when sophomore Barrett Metzger sent a long ball that sailed over the defense right to Miller. The senior then knocked the ball down with his chest and slipped it past the keeper to give his team the 1-0 lead. Less than two minutes later, Colgate was able to capitalize on a defensive mistake by LIU, when Conlin picked up a loose ball from a blocked shot, turned, and then blasted it into the goal with a deflection off the goalie, to put the score at 2-0.

The Blackbirds then picked up their tempo, attacking the net as they searched for their first goal. Their increased pressure changed the tone of the game, with LIU now holding majority of the ball possession and keeping the play in the Raiders' half. As the clock wound down, the Blackbirds picked up the pace in their offense once again, hitting the crossbar and then finding a goal minutes later from a long ball that was headed into the left corner at the 84:57 mark. With the score at 2-1, the intensity picked up for the last five minutes of play as LIU desperately looked for an equalizer, but in the end Colgate was able to hold toff the Blackbirds to secure the win.

Junior Grant Reed and senior Chris Miller shared playing time in net, with Miller making one save in the game. Janssen had nine saves for the Blackbirds.

“We responded very well after our game on Friday,” stated head coach Erik Ronning. “Our reserves did a nice job keeping the pace of the game high. We relaxed a bit in the final 15 minutes, which was disappointing, but overall it was a good win. Heading into league play, we have to sort some things out this week in preparation for American.”

The Raiders will resume play next weekend when they open Patriot League play with a matchup against American on Saturday, Sept. 24. in Washington, D.C.