HAMILTON – The Colgate field hockey program quickly capitalized in its final Patriot League game on Tyler's Field as they scored early and often in the first half. Although the game featured four goals by the Raiders, Lafayette was able to edge past Colgate in a 5-4 final.
HOW IT HAPPENED
The Colgate offense struck first when they were able to convert on its first penalty corner opportunity of the game. Sophomore
Meghan Minturn took the initial shot after the corner insertion, and was able to put the Raiders up 1-0 over Lafayette just 5:48 into the game.
A strong day for the sophomore,
Nora Mulroy tallied a pair of goals for the Raiders when she first lifted them to a 2-0 lead midway through the first half after receiving the sweep chip and sending the ball overhead of the keeper to the top left corner of the cage. Lafayette responded with back-to-back goals to tie the game, but a third Colgate goal came before the end of the half when junior
Nicole Salamone picked up a rebounding ball and took advantage of the out-of-position keeper to regain the Raiders lead. With just minutes remaining, the first-half excitement continued when Lafayette tied the game at 3-3.
Coming out of the halftime, Lafayette was the first to strike for the third lead change of the game, but Mulroy responded with just 11:27 remaining in regulation with her second of the game for the third tie score of the day at 4-4. Sophomore
Taylor Casamassa picked up the turnover at mid-field and was able to sweep the pass across to Mulroy for the goal to the low corner of the cage. Although the four goals were a season-high for the Raiders, Lafayette responded once more with just 5:16 on the clock when they capitalized on one of their six second-half penalty corner chances, to claim the game 5-4.
STATISTICAL STANDOUTS
• As sophomore
Nora Mulroy marked a pair of goals, she earned her first career multi-goal game. Mulroy continues to lead the Raiders offense with 10 points by a team-leading five goals on the year.
• By one goal and two assists, junior
Nicole Salamone posted a her first career multi-point game for a career-high four points.
• The Raiders' four-goal game marks its highest scoring offense since a 5-2 win over Siena on Oct. 26, 2014.
• In the cage, freshman
Anna Unger tallied nine saves, her third-best on the season behind her career-high 11 save game against Albany (Sept. 1), and 10 save effort versus Pacific (Sept. 20).
• Colgate's .800 shot percentage is a season-high, as they converted on four of their five attempted shots. The team's four shots on goal marks the most since four against Bryant (Sept. 16).
THE BOTTOM LINE
• Lafayette 5, Colgate 4
RECORD UPDATES
• Colgate holds a 2-10 record overall, and are 0-4 in Patriot League play.
• Lafayette improves to 4-8 on the season, and 2-1 in conference action.
COACH CORNELL'S TAKE
"I'm really happy with today, it was a total team effort. We had goals from several different players, which was really exciting. It was just really exciting to see the team combining so well and moving the ball with a pass quickly. It made it effective to eliminate the defense and it gave ourselves opportunities to get shots on goal."
"Scoring off of the first corner gave us huge momentum. It was a great confidence booster being the first corner, and first goal of the game. I know Meghan [Minturn] has been hitting the ball really well off of the corners, so she was ready to make that shot. She executed very well."
"I think the overall total team effort is something we take into tomorrow's game. It was really fun to play when they were supporting each other and defending and attacking together as a whole. It was a fun hockey game because we played so well as a team and we want to continue to take that into our next game. If we do that, we will find more opportunities for success against UMass Lowell."
UP NEXT
The Raiders return to non-conference play tomorrow, as they host UMass Lowell on Tyler's Field. Game time is slated for a 1 p.m. start.
FOLLOW THE RAIDERS
For more information on the Colgate field hockey program, follow the Raiders on Twitter @ColgateFH and on Instagram at Colgate_FH.
