HAMILTON  – Colgate field hockey remained unbeaten in Patriot League play after senior Rebecca Libutti registered the game-winning goal here Saturday in a 1-0 victory over Lafayette.
 
After a scoreless 60 minutes of play, which saw both teams earn chances on goal, it was the Raiders who took the one-goal edge tallying the eventual game-winner.
 
The play started after fellow classmate Eliana Brown used her stick skills to work the ball down the field, forcing the Leopards to give up a penalty corner. On the ensuing play Jessica Gardiner sent the corner to the stick of Brown, who stopped it for Libutti. The senior then took a big swing and drove the ball past Lafayette's goalie, Jessica Deutsch, for the go-ahead marker.
 
In the remaining 10 minutes, Colgate was able utilize their strong defensive presence to fend away any Leopard attempt on goal. Raider goalie Amanada DiDomizio completed her second season shutout between the posts after recording nine saves in the game.
 
With the win, Colgate ended a nine-game losing skid to the Leopards, which dated back to 2005.
 
Libutti's goal was her second of the season and first career game-winner.
 
The Raiders are back on the field Oct. 4 when they travel to Bethlehem, Pennsylvania for a game with Lehigh at noon.

Bottom Line
• Colgate 1, Lafayette 0

Won-Lost Records
• Colgate shifts to 3-6-0 overall, 2-0 in conference
• Lafayette falls to 4-5-0 overall, 0-2 in conference

Key Raider Info
• Libutti scored the game-winner at the 60:10 mark of the second half and gave her two on the season.
• Assists on Libutti's goal were awarded to Brown and Gardiner.
• DiDomizio grabbed nine saves in her second season shutout, including seven in the second half alone.

Facts & Figures
• The Leopards held the small advantage on shots at 14-9, while also holding the edge on penalty corners at 12-7.
• The Raiders posted nine saves, while Lafayette recorded four.
• Neither team was given a card in the game.
• Brown led the Raiders with three shots, while Libutti and Whitney Jones earned two a piece.
• Lafayette saw four players notch three shots each to lead the Leopards.
 
Game-Winner
• After an even 60 minutes of action, Colgate broke through the deadlock following a penalty corner.
            - The Raiders saw Brown work her magic with the stick and dribble down the field past three Lafayette defenders, forcing the Leopards to give up a penalty corner. On the next play Gardiner sent the corner to the stick of Brown for the drag flick. Brown stopped the ball for Libutti, who hit it past a stunned Deutsch.
 
Unbeaten In League Play
• The Raiders have not dropped a league contest yet this season and jump out to the 2-0 edge in conference play.
• Colgate also defeated Holy Cross last weekend 3-0 for its first league win of the year.
 
Compiling The Points
• Brown has a team-leading 12 points after adding to her assists total with one in the game. She now has a team-high five goals to go along with her two assists.
• Jones is a close second with 10 season points from four goals and two assists, while Gardiner and Libutti are tied for third with six points each. Gardiner has one goal and four assists and with Lubutti's tally she now has two goals and two assists.
 
Straight From The Source
• Head Coach Cathy Foto (on her team's performance in the game): "I am really proud of how hard our team played today. It was a great team win in so many ways."
 
"Amanda DiDomizio and the defense played incredibly tough for 70 minutes. With a penalty corner against them with no time on the clock at the end of the game they just dug in their heels and were not going to let the game be tied."
 
"In a game where we were not able to generate a lot of offense we thought in might come down to a penalty corner. Rebecca had a great shot for the game winner and it was great to see her execute on corner."

Up Next
• The Raiders next match up is at Lehigh on Oct. 4 at noon
• The Mountain Hawks defeated Holy Cross today, 3-1, to move to 1-1 in league play.
• Live stats available at the start of the game.

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