Ithaca, N.Y. – The Colgate field hockey program had a strong start in mid-week action when freshman Nikki Potter marked her first career goal just minutes into the non-conference matchup at Cornell. Although the Raiders had the opening goal against the in-state rival, the Big Red inched back to take the game 3-1.
 
HOW IT HAPPENED
It took just 8:24 of action into the rivalry game before Potter got the Raiders on the scoreboard with an unassisted goal. Although Colgate was first to get on the board, Cornell came back to tie the game midway through the half 6:32 after. When it was looking like the teams would head into halftime all squared up, the Big Red saw their first lead of the game just five minutes prior to the conclusion of the half.

When the Raider defense really shown in the first half with seven saves, the Colgate offense was showcased in the second half with five penalty corner opportunities, resulting in four shots. Despite the efforts of the Raiders squad, Potter's goal stood as Colgate's lone tally in the eventual 3-1 loss at Cornell.
 
STATISTICAL STANDOUTS
• With her goal against Cornell, Nikki Potter is the third Colgate field hockey player to mark first career goal this season. In addition to her tally on the scoreboard, Potter also marked two shots on the day in 53 minutes played.
• In the cage, freshman Anna Unger made eight stops when faced with 18 total shots. The goalkeeper's eight saves for a .727 save percentage is her third best on the season.
• Leading the Raiders offensively was sophomore Meghan Minturn, as she totaled a team-high of four total shots, with two landing on goal. The four shots is just one shy of Minturn's career-high of five, marked against Saint Francis on Sept. 10, 2017.
 
THE BOTTOM LINE
• Cornell 3, Colgate 1
 
RECORD UPDATES
• Colgate holds a 2-8 record on the year.
• Cornell improves to 2-6 on the season.

COACH CORNELL'S TAKE
"It was a hard fought game we had some great opportunities with a couple of fast breaks and on attack penalty corners. We need to continue to build on our out-letting and possession in the back field so that we can control the game better and keep possession longer. We lost our structure defensive because Cornell switched a lot in the midfield and we could not maintain our organization."
 
UP NEXT
The Raiders return home to Tyler's Field on Saturday, Sept. 29 as they continue Patriot League play against Holy Cross. The team will be participating in Pediatric Cancer Awareness day in benefitting 3-year-old Ella Ryan. For more information on #EllaStrong day, click HERE.
 
FOLLOW THE RAIDERS
For more information on the Colgate field hockey program, follow the Raiders on Twitter @ColgateFH and on Instagram at Colgate_FH.