WASHINGTON, D.C. – A stout defensive effort and a game-winning goal from first-year Abby Sotomayor lifted the Colgate women's soccer team to a 1-0 victory at American in the teams' Patriot League opener Saturday at Reeves Athletic Complex.
 
Sotomayor netted her team-leading fifth goal of the season in the 66th minute to give the Raiders a 1-0 lead they wouldn't relinquish. The Colgate defense and first-year keeper Kelly Chiavaro shut out the Eagles to earn the Raiders' first clean sheet of the season.
 
Seniors Sophi Lederer and Sarah Coy forced American keeper Morgan Lang to make a pair of saves within the first three minutes of the game. An attempt from the Eagles' Kira Flaherty in the fifth minute accounted for American's only shot of the opening half. The remainder of the first term was all Colgate as the Raiders controlled possession and ripped five shots, but weren't able to find the back of the net as the teams took a scoreless draw into halftime.
 
The Raiders picked up right where they left off in the second half as Colgate continued to pressure the American defense. The Raiders were finally able to get on the board in the 66th minute when Sotomayor drilled a ball over the head of Lang and into the netting of the far post to give Colgate a 1-0 lead.
 
Three shots on frame from Coy threatened to add a Colgate insurance tally, but Lang was there to stop them all. The Eagles got off their only two shots of the second half in the 81st and 85th minutes, but the first flew wide before Chiavaro stepped up to stop the second. Colgate then regained possession and held on to claim the 1-0 victory.
 
BOTTOM LINE

• Colgate 1, American 0

 
WON-LOST RECORDS

• The Raiders improve to 3-3-3 overall and 1-0-0 in Patriot League.
• The Eagles fall to 1-8-0 overall and 0-1-0 in league action.

 
KEY RAIDER INFO

• Colgate won its Patriot League opener for the sixth season in a row.
• The Raiders earned their fifth-straight victory over American.
• Sotomayor's goal marked her fifth of the season, bringing her to 10 points so far during her rookie campaign.
• Chiavaro secured the first shutout of her career.

 
FACTS & FIGURES

• Colgate outshot the Eagles 16-3, while the Raiders also held a 9-2 shot on goal advantage.
• Colgate also led corner kicks 3-0.
• Chiavaro finished with two saves in goal, while Lang made eight stops.

 
FROM THE SOURCE
Head Coach Kathy Brawn

• "It's so important to come away with a road win and get off to a good start in Patriot League play. Players came in off the bench and did a very good job of keeping the ball moving and creating chances. It will be helpful to have several days to prepare for a strong Lehigh team."

 
UP NEXT

• The Raiders will continue Patriot League play next Saturday (Sept. 24) when Colgate hosts Lehigh.
• Kickoff from Beyer-Small '76 Field will be at 7 p.m.
• Free video will be available on the Patriot League Network.