CHICAGO – Colgate men's soccer kicked off its 2015 campaign against Northwestern here Saturday and the season opener didn't disappoint.
 
The Raiders and Wildcats played to a double overtime thriller, ultimately ending in a 1-1 tie.
 
Sophomore Benji Geisler tallied his first career goal giving the Raiders the early lead just 15 minutes into the contest. Unfortunately, a Northwestern equalizer in the 38th minute knotted the score at 1-all.
 
Just after halftime, Colgate found itself down to 10 men, but the Raiders didn't falter. In the closing minutes of regulation, first-year Aram Ouligian nearly gave Colgate the go-ahead marker but the Wildcats' goalie Zak Allen came up with a brilliant stop, sending the game into extra time.
 
After neither team found the back of the goal in the first overtime period, junior captain Zach Tamen had hopes of notching the game-winner in period two when he fired a shot toward goal. Northwestern got lucky again, however, when Allen made another huge stop, saving the game for the Wildcats.
 
Northwestern, who received votes in the NSCAA Coaches Poll to start the season, had one final corner kick, but the Raiders were able to fend off any Wildcat attempts and the contest ended in a draw.
 
Geisler's goal put the Raiders ahead just 15 minutes into the contest after he placed a beautiful free kick into the back of the net from 45-yards out. Northwestern was called for a foul just inside half on the right side of the field. Geisler then stepped up and whipped in the set piece, driving it past the defense, freezing the goalie, and into the back of the net.
 
Ricky Brown got the starting nod in goal for Colgate, finishing the game with three saves.
 
The Raiders next face Rutgers and UC Riverside on Friday and Sunday for their home-opening weekend. Colgate takes on the Scarlet Knights on Friday at 5 p.m. before welcoming the Highlanders on Sunday at 1:30 p.m. Both games will be played on Beyer-Small '76 Field.

BOTTOM LINE
• Colgate 1, Northwestern 1 – 2 OT

WON-LOST RECORDS
• Colgate slides to 0-0-1 on the year
• Northwestern also shifts to 0-0-1

KEY RAIDER INFO
• Geisler notched his first career goal just 14:51 into the contest.
• Brown made three saves throughout the contest.
• The Raiders outshot their hosts 9-8, including an 8-4 edge on shots on goal.

FACTS & FIGURES
• Colgate and Northwestern both had six corner kicks in the contest.
• Northwestern had to make seven saves, while Colgate recorded three.
• Geisler and Ethan Kutler both registered three shots each to lead all players.
• Colgate led the Wildcats in shots at 9-8 and in shots on goal at 8-4.  
• There were three cards issued throughout the game, all to Colgate players.

SEASON OPENERS
• This was the second year in a row the Raiders took their season-opener into double overtime.
• Colgate and Saint Mary's (Calif.) went into extra periods on Aug. 29, 2014, but Kutler was able to net the game-winner, giving the Raiders a 1-0 victory after 102 minutes of action.

FROM THE SOURCE
• Colgate Head Coach Erik Ronning: (on the game) "We battled like warriors for 110 minutes, and earned a quality result against a very good Northwestern team. It was a very positive start to the season, and I could not be prouder of this group."
 
"Despite being down a man for much of the second half and overtime, we defended very well, showed great resolve, and were able to create a number of quality chances."
 
"It was a special evening and I want to thank Northwestern head coach, and good friend, Tim Lenahan for hosting us, and making this experience really memorable."
 
"We are still very much a work in progress, and have a long way to go. We are looking forward to getting back to work on Monday and preparing for Rutgers."
 
GATE GRAB BAG
• The attendance at Loyola's (Chicago) Loyola Soccer Park was 245.

UP NEXT
• The Raiders play host to Rutgers on Friday for their home-opener.
• Gametime is scheduled for 5 p.m. on Beyer-Small '76 Field.
• Fans can watch the live stream for free HERE.