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HAMILTON, N.Y. (9/25/11) - The Colgate women's soccer team secured a hard earned win over Canisius, 3-2, in its final non-conference game of the season on Sunday afternoon at Van Doren Field.

Senior co-captain Maddie Malone along with freshman Caroline Brawner and junior Jillian Kinter, scored a goal each for the Raiders. Both Malone and Brawner also had an assist for a team-high three points in the game.

The first half was very productive for both teams. Colgate (7-4) came out to a quick start, attacking Canisius' net and earning a penalty kick just 56 second into play, when a crossed ball from junior Elise Amioka hit the hand of a defender in the box. Malone took the penalty kick, using a few stutter steps and then firing the ball into the net, deflecting off the keeper into the top right corner to put the score at 1-0. The early goal helped ignite the Raiders' offense, which continued to put pressure on their opponent's' net. Their hard work was then rewarded with a second goal at the 22:09 mark when Malone took a quick free kick from the top of the box and passed it to Brawner who was wide open on the left and blasted it into the net to give her team a 2-0 lead.

Colgate continued to hold majority of the ball possession, firing a series of shots on goal and almost scored again but the goal was called back because of a foul on the play. However, despite the Raiders' efforts, it was Canisius that was able to find success at the 33:38 mark when Brianna Smith headed a crossed ball which then hit the crossbar. She picked up the rebound and then kicked it into the frame to put the score at 2-1 going into half time.

Colgate carried its offensive momentum into the second half, but it was the Griffins that were able to find a goal first just seven minutes into the period, when a shot hit the crossbar, came down on the line and then Smith tapped it across the goal line to tie the game at 2-2. The pressure only made the Raiders' attack even more, creating numerous close scoring opportunities but to no avail. Canisius then struck back, but a defensive save from junior Sarah Henderson, who was able to blcok a shot on an empty net, was able to keep the game tied. Feeling the pressure Colgate then picked up the pace once more, and were soon able to find a goal when a combination of passes around the defense from Brawner and classmate Jenna Raepple led to Kinter, who then knocked the ball into the net to give her team the 3-2 lead at the 76:17 mark. The teams continued to battle it out on the field in the closing minutes but in the end it was Colgate that was able to secure the win.

The Raiders outshot Canisus 31-14, holding a 15-5 advantage in the first 45 minutes of play and a 16-9 advantage in the second half. Junior goalkeeper Ashley Walsh had one save in the game while Megan Tock had eight saves for the Griffins.

“We had a few goals going into this game, one of which was to complete a two-win weekend because it is so critically important to success in the league and beyond if we are fortunate enough to get there,” stated head coach Kathy Brawn. “I thought our players responded really well to a very talented Canisius squad. They are strong through and through and their keeper came up with some enormous saves. We kept plugging away, trying to find a way to beat her and we ultimately did but it wasn't an easy task. It was a good solid game and weekend for us as we head into Patriot League play.”

The Raiders will open league play next weekend when they host Bucknell on Saturday, Oct. 1 at 4 p.m. on Van Doren Field.