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Colgate University Athletics

Zach Pagani
3
Winner Colgate COLGATE (13-6-1)
1
Loyola LOY (8-7-3)
Winner
Colgate COLGATE
(13-6-1)
3
Final
1
Loyola LOY
(8-7-3)
Score By Periods
Team 1 2 F
Colgate COLGATE 1 2 3
Loyola LOY 1 0 1

Game Recap: Men's Soccer | | Chelsea Vielhauer

Raiders Punch Ticket to Championship with 3-1 Win Over Loyola

Kutler, Pagani, Stroud Lead Colgate Attack to Semifinal Victory

WASHINGTON, D.C. – The third-seeded Colgate men's soccer team used a pair of second-half goals to capture a 3-1 win over No. 2 Loyola in the Patriot League Semifinals Friday afternoon at American's Reeves Field. The victory secures Colgate's spot in Sunday's Patriot League Championship game against top-seeded American.
 
Senior Ethan Kutler gave Colgate an early 1-0 lead before a Loyola penalty kick allowed the Greyhounds to tie the game heading into halftime. Senior Zach Pagani scored what proved to be the game-winning goal in the 72nd minute before junior Jared Stroud added on an insurance tally five minutes later. Senior keeper Ricky Brown came up with four big saves in goal.
 
The Raiders got a few good looks on goal in the opening minutes as an attempt from sophomore Tim Oberg was saved and a Kutler shot bounced off the post. The Raiders rifled off three corner kicks in the two minutes span and Kutler was able to convert the third of those attempts in the 13th minute when he booted home Stroud's corner kick to give the Raiders an early 1-0 lead.
 
Brown made two huge saves between the 17th and 20th minutes to keep Colgate in front. The Raiders out-shot the Greyhounds 5-2 over the rest of the half, but a Colgate foul in the box led to a Loyola penalty kick with just 38 seconds left in the opening term. The Greyhounds' Brian Saramogo sent the ball into the lower left-hand corner to tie the game at 1-1 heading into halftime.
 
The Raider defense was able to withstand five Loyola shots in the opening 25 minutes of the second half. Pagani then scored what proved to be the game-winner in the 72nd minute when he corralled a pass from Stroud and rifled it past Sanchez to give Colgate back the lead, 2-1.
 
Stroud added an insurance goal just five minutes later when his long shot went over Sanchez' head and just underneath the crossbar to run Colgate's advantage to 3-1 in the 77th minute. The Raiders were able to hold on to grab the 3-1 victory and earn their trip to Sunday's Patriot League Championship.
 
BOTTOM LINE
  • Colgate 3, Loyola 1
 
WON-LOST RECORDS
  • Colgate improves to 13-6-1 overall on the season, tying the Raiders' program win record that was set in 1994.
  • Loyola's season ends at 8-7-3.
 
KEY RAIDER INFO
  • The Raiders tie the program record of 13 wins in a season. Colgate went 13-4-2 overall in 1994.
  • Colgate is making its sixth-ever championship game appearance. The Raiders are 5-0-0 all-time in the Patriot League Championship game.
  • Kutler scored his fourth goal of the Patriot League Tournament and ninth goal of the season.
  • Pagani's goal was his sixth of the season, while Stroud added his fourth.
  • Sophomore Oliver Harris was credited with a pair of assists.
 
FACTS & FIGURES
  • Colgate finished the game with a 16-13 shot advantage and 10-5 shot on goal edge.
  • Loyola held a narrow 5-4 corner kick lead.
  • Brown's four saves were compared to Sanchez' seven.
 
FROM THE SOURCE
Head Coach Erik Ronning
  • "We started off really well and played with a lot of energy and confidence. Loyola is a very good team and we knew they'd be on our heels at certain points. I had a lot of confidence in our guys to defend a team like Loyola and play our game."
  • "We had our ups and downs during the game. We kept our heads and didn't make too many mistakes. We made plays at the right times and that's what this game is about."
  • "Our guys fight for each other, believe in each other and trust in each other. They did a phenomenal job from start to finish and battled for 90 minutes."
  • "It's all about recovery now and preparing for American. We have to make sure our bodies are recovered as we can possibly get them. We're looking forward to the challenge on Sunday."
 
UP NEXT
  • The Raiders will face top-seeded American in the Patriot League Championship game Sunday.
  • Kickoff from American's Reeves Field is set for 1 p.m.
  • The winner earns the league's automatic berth to the NCAA Tournament.
  • Colgate will be in search of its sixth Patriot League title and first since 2011.
  • Free video will be available on the Patriot League Network and all information on how to follow can be found at Game Central.
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