BALTIMORE – A free kick goal was the difference Saturday afternoon as the Colgate men's soccer team dropped a 1-0 decision to Loyola.
 
Loyola saw Connor Thompson net the game-winner in the 55th minute after he placed a free kick into the back of the net past the diving arm of Colgate's goalie, Ricky Brown.
 
The Raiders had a couple chances to equalize throughout the remainder of the contest, but key saves from Matt Sanchez and strong defending from the Greyhounds prevented Colgate from converting.
 
The Raiders outshot the Greyhounds, 6-5, and had the advantage on corner kicks at 5-3. Colgate held Loyola to just one shot in the opening 45 minutes, while the Raiders posted three.
 
Colgate has a quick turnaround as they welcome Army on Wednesday for another Patriot League matchup. The game is set for Beyer-Small '76 Field and will have live stats and video available at gametime.
 
Bottom Line
• Loyola 1, Colgate o

Won-Lost Records
• Loyola improves to 4-3-1 overall and 1-1-0 in conference play
• Colgate drops to 4-4-1 overall and 1-1-0 in conference play
 
Key Raider Info
• Ethan Kutler led the Raiders in shots, taking a game-high three, two of which were on frame.
• Rookie Troy Moo Penn added two shots to Colgate's total as well.
• Ricky Brown made one save throughout the contest.

Facts & Figures
• The Raiders held the advantage on shots at 6-5, while also notching five corner kicks to the Greyhounds three.
• Loyola posted four saves in the game, while Brown made one for Colgate
• The Greyhounds were issued three yellow cards in the contest.
• Loyola's lone goal came 54:06 into the game and was scored by Connor Thompson
 
The Difference
• The Greyhounds earned a free kick 20-yards out that found the back of the net.
            - Colgate was called for a foul just outside its 18-yard box. Thompson then stepped up and placed it just around the wall for the go-ahead and eventual game-winning.
 
Colgate Chances
• The Raiders outshot the Greyhounds, 6-5, with four of those being on target.
            - One of Colgate's best chances came in the 32nd minute after Kutler sent a brilliant through-ball to the foot of Moo Penn near the center of the box. The first-year saw an opening and fired a hard-driven shot toward the top left corner of the net, but Sanchez made an incredible leaping save to keep the game scoreless.
            - Another solid chance for the Raiders came in the 69th minute when Colin O'Neill sent a cross into the box looking for Kutler. Unfortunately for Colgate, a Loyola defender came sliding in at the last second to clear it out of danger before Kutler could blast it into the back of the goal.
 
Straight From The Source
• Head Coach Erik Ronning: (On his team's tough loss) "Very disappointing result considering how well we played in the first half. We got away from what was making us successful and could not get anything going in the second half."
 
"We must put this behind us and prepare for Army on Wednesday."

Up Next
• The Raiders are back on the pitch Wednesday when host Army at 7 p.m.
• The Black Knights dropped their second conference game Saturday to Boston U., 2-0.
• The game is set for Beyer-Small '76 Field.
• Live stats and video available at the start of the game.