EASTON, Pa. – An early goal in each half behind another shutout from Kelly Chiavaro fueled the Colgate women's soccer team to a 2-0 victory over Lafayette on Saturday night in a Patriot League contest at Oaks Stadium. 

Colgate used a fast start to get on the board just 3:43 into the contest. Ruby Diodati stretched a pass down the left side for Ellis Miller, who blistered a one-timer past the outstretched arms of Lafayette keeper Maggie Pohl inside the right post to give the Raiders the early 1-0 lead. 

Miller forced another save in the 14th minute and Sage DiGiulio rifled a shot off the post in the 19th minute to highlight Colgate's early chances.

The Raiders pressured heavily in their offensive territory throughout the first half, holding Lafayette without a shot of any kind as Colgate held a 1-0 lead at the half.

Kelly Chiavaro didn't let her quiet first half impact her focus in the second stanza, as she came up with a big save on the Leopards' first shot on target by Alex Stanford in the 48th minute.

Five minutes later, the Raiders were on the attack once again and doubled their lead. Dom DeMarco set up the goal with a perfect cross into the box. With a scramble for the ball in front of the goal, DiGiulio connected on the pass with a header to the back of the net to extend Colgate's lead to 2-0 in the 53rd minute.

Chiavaro collected two more key saves down the stretch with Lafayette picking up its offensive pressure. The Raiders fended off two corner kicks by Camryn Monfort late in the match to secure the 2-0 shutout victory.  
 
BOTTOM LINE
• Colgate 2, Lafayette 0.
 
RECORD UPDATES
• Colgate improved its record to 7-2-3 overall and 4-0-1 in the Patriot League.
• Lafayette dropped to 4-8-0 on the season and 1-4-0 in league play.
• The Raiders are now unbeaten in eight straight games and have won six of their last seven.

KEY RAIDER NOTES
• Colgate has four shutouts in five league matches this season. 
• Diodati has three points in her last two games with a goal and an assist. 
• Miller, Abby Sotomayor, and Martina Loncar are tied for the team lead with three goals.
• Chiavaro picked up her sixth shutout of the season in the win.
 
BY THE NUMBERS
• Shots were 12-6 (6-3) in favor of the Raiders.
• Colgate doubled up Lafayette in corner kicks, 6-3.
• The Raiders were whistled for 12 fouls, while Lafayette finished with nine.
 
FROM THE SOURCE
Colgate head coach Kathy Brawn: It was a terrific effort tonight. Both goals were results of outstanding team play with spot on assists to set up strong finishes. Ruby's pass to Ellis for the one-timer and Dom's serve to Sage for the header were both examples of how this team steps up and plays hard for and with one another. We have a quick turnaround to prepare for Cornell and Bucknell in the week ahead.
 
UP NEXT 
• Colgate takes on Cornell on Tuesday for its final non-conference contest of the season.
• Game time is set for 4 p.m. at Beyer-Small '76 Field.