EASTON, Pa. – Colgate men's soccer won a 2-1 double-overtime thriller at Lafayette on Saturday after sophomore
Zach Pagani netted the game-winner.
Pagani's first goal this season was a big one as it lifted the Raiders to victory in the 103rd minute. Fellow classmate
Ethan Kutler also continued his three-game scoring stretch with the equalizer in the 73rd minute after the Leopards had taken a first-half lead.
Lafayette took the 1-0 edge at the 26:57 mark following a scrum in front of Colgate's net.
Colgate would not back down, however, as it watched the nation's second leading goal scorer, Kutler, tally his 10th goal. The play started after Pagani dribbled down the center of the field with the ball. The Ann Arbor, Michigan, native then found Kutler just inside the 18-yard box on the left side of the field. Kutler took a few touches toward net before firing a low-driven shot to the opposite corner of the goal to knot the score at 1-all.
Neither team was able to score the go-ahead marker in regulation, forcing the match into extra time.
It wasn't until the second overtime period that a team found the back of the net and it fortunately came from the foot of a Raider. Kutler sparked a 2-on-1 just outside the top of the box after collecting a bouncing ball. The Lansing, New York, native then slotted the ball over to Pagani on the left wing, where he place it just out of the reach of Lafayette's keeper, Sandy Leavy, for the game-winner.
With the win, Colgate has now taken nine of the last 11 meetings in this series, dating back to 2006.
Colgate goalie
Ricky Brown made three stops in the game, including a point-blank save 30 minutes in to keep it a one-goal game at that time.
The Raiders next face nearby rival Syracuse on the road Tuesday at 7 p.m. The game will be televised live on ESPN3 and Time Warner Cable Sports Channel.
Bottom Line• Colgate 2, Lafayette 1 -- 2 OT
Won-Lost Records• Colgate improves to 4-3-1 overall and 1-0-0 in conference play
• Lafayette falls to 3-4-2 overall and 0-1-0 in conference play
Key Raider Info• Pagani scored the game-winning goal at the 103:35 mark in double-overtime.
• Kutler added an assist on the game-winner as well as the equalizing goal in the 73rd minute.
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Ricky Brown earned the win between the pipes for Colgate, taking his season record to 4-3-1.
Facts & Figures• The Leopards held the edge on shots at 16-8, and on corner kicks at 4-1.
• Colgate posted three saves to Lafayette's one.
• The Raiders were issued one yellow card in the contest.
• Kutler led the Raiders with three shots, two of which were on frame.
• Pagani and senior captain
Tanner Schilling added two apiece as well for Colgate.
• The Leopards' lone goal came 26:57 into the first half and was scored by Ryan Egan.
Game-Winner• Pagani's goal happened after Kutler fed him the ball inside the box.
- Kutler corralled the ball at the top of the box and took a touch before finding the foot of Pagani on the left wing. The sophomore then slotted the ball into the opposite corner of the net for the game-winner.
- The goal came at the 103:35 mark.
A Look at the Other Goals• Lafayette took the 1-0 advantage 26 minutes into the game.
- Following a corner kick, the Raiders were unable to clear the ball far enough away from danger as Egan fired a shot from just outside the box past the outstretched arm of Brown.
• The Raiders registered a few chances in the final minutes of the first half but it wasn't until the 73rd minute that they broke through.
- The nation's second leading goal scorer showcased his abilities again by netting his 10th season goal. Pagani found Kutler on the left side of the field in the box. Kutler took a touch to collect the ball before shooting a hard-driven shot to the opposite corner of the goal for the equalizer.
Overtime Games• The Raiders are now 2-1-1 on the season when it comes to games being decided in extra time.
• Colgate also defeated Saint Mary's (Calif.) in their home and stadium opener back on Aug. 29 when Kutler netted a penalty kick game-winner in double overtime.
• The two other games the Raiders needed overtime with were Niagara (L, 2-1 OT) and Albany (T, 1-1 Double OT).
Records Watch• Kutler now has 10 goals on the season for 21 points.
• The sophomore is now 12th in Colgate's records book for season goals with 10.
• Kutler is one point shy of breaking into the Colgate records book for season points.
Three-Game Winning Streak• The Raiders are currently on a three-game winning streak.
• Colgate also posted 3-1 wins against Fairleigh Dickinson and Siena during that stretch.
Straight From The Source•
Head Coach Erik Ronning: (On his team's performance Saturday) "Great result against a very strong Lafayette team."
"They took it to us in the first half, as we were a bit sluggish. As the game progressed, our level rose and we gained some momentum. We were not at our best today, but the players deserve all the credit for grinding this one out."
Up Next• The Raiders are back on the pitch Tuesday when they travel to nearby rival Syracuse for a game with the Orange.
• The Orange are currently 7-1 on the season and sit with a conference record of 1-1.
• The game is set for the SU Soccer Stadium at 7 p.m.
• Live stats and video available at the start of the game.
