HAMILTON – Senior Tyler Forbes recorded the eventual game-winner in the 74th minute, lifting Colgate men's soccer into the postseason.
 
The Manlius, New York, native's third tally of the season was a big one as it not only secured the Raiders a 1-0 victory over Loyola but it guaranteed Colgate a return to the Patriot League tournament after a year absence.
 
The Raiders controlled much of the play, firing off 18 shots to the Greyhounds' eight. Despite the shot edge, though, the visitors kept Colgate out of the net until Forbes' eventual go-ahead marker.
 
Bruno Scodari started the play by sending a great cross into the box, finding the head of Aram Ouligian. The first-year then flicked the ball over to a running Forbes, who one-timed a low shot past the outstretched arms of Loyola goalie Matt Sanchez.
 
The Raiders then held on to secure the one-goal victory, shifting their Patriot League mark to 6-2-0. Colgate now slides into sole possession of first place in the conference with 18 points, jumping Boston University heading into the final week of the regular season.
 
Ethan Kutler nearly put Colgate up eight minutes into the first half when he and Jared Stroud teamed up for a great run in behind the Loyola defense. Kutler collected the pass from Stroud and curled a shot around the Greyhounds goalie. His attempt looked as if it was heading into the lower left corner of the net but it ultimately sailed just wide.
 
Then just before the break, first-year Uyi Omorogbe almost broke the deadlock with a great volley from 20-yards out off a Kutler corner kick. His shot forced Sanchez to make a diving save, as it was heading for the upper-90.

Colgate continued its offensive pressure in the second half but it wasn't until Forbes' goal at the 73:34 mark that the Raiders found the go-ahead goal.
 
From that point on, Colgate maintained the ball possession in the remaining minutes to protect the victory.
 
The Raiders play host to Lafayette on Saturday for a 4 p.m. tilt on Beyer-Small '76 Field. The match is Colgate's regular season finale as well as senior day. Live stats and video will be available at the start.
 
BOTTOM LINE
• Colgate 1, Loyola 0

WON-LOST RECORDS
• Colgate improves to 9-6-2 overall to go along with its mark of 6-2-0 in Patriot League play
• Loyola shifts to 2-12-2 and 0-7-1, respectively.

KEY RAIDER INFO
• The Raiders' secured a postseason berth with the victory.
• Forbes recorded his third goal of the season and second game-winner.
• Ricky Brown posted three saves throughout the contest, while earning his fifth shutout of the year.

FACTS & FIGURES
• Colgate held the edge on shots at 18-8 and on shots on goal at 8-3.  
• The Raiders also registered 10 corner kicks to the Greyhounds' two.  
• Brown finished with three saves, while Loyola's Sanchez notched seven.
• Kutler ended with a game-high eight shots, four of which were on frame.
• Two other Raider players notched three shots each in Stroud and Forbes.
• Each team was issued a yellow card in the contest.
 
FROM THE SOURCE
• Colgate Head Coach Erik Ronning: (on the game) "It was great to be back at home and get the win here on Family Weekend. Loyola proved to be a difficult team to break down, but I'm proud of our guys for staying patient and confident that we would find a goal."
 
"Our defense did a great job preserving the shutout and giving us the opportunity to win the game. The guys will have a deserved day off tomorrow and we'll be back at it on Monday preparing for our final regular season matchup against a very tough Lafayette team."

UP NEXT
• Colgate welcomes Lafayette on Saturday for its regular season finale at 4 p.m. on Beyer-Small '76 Field.
• The Leopards dropped a 4-0 decision to Navy on Saturday.
• Live stats and video are available at the start of the game.