DENVER, Colo. – Steven DeLeo scored the game-tying goal with less than three minutes left in regulation and the resilient No. 13 Colgate Raiders battled No. 6 Denver to a 1-1 double overtime draw in a thrilling top-15 showdown of two unbeaten squads Friday night at DU Soccer Stadium.
After a scoreless opening half, Denver struck first early in the second half on a goal by Kenny Akamatsu. A long pass found Akamatsu down the left sideline, where he spun inside and lifted a shot over the outstretched hands of
Jacob Harris in the 53rd minute.
Denver entered the match 56-2-3 since 2014 after scoring first on their home pitch. Colgate did not go down, however, and the Pioneer lead did not hold.
Trailing by one down the stretch, Colgate found life moments after an errant Denver shot gave Harris a goal kick. Harris booted one past midfield, where
Kian Alberto fended off a Pioneer and issued a long through ball towards the box. The nearest Pioneer defender slipped and DeLeo beat the goalkeeper to the loose ball before tying the match with a low shot to the back of the net with 2:24 left in regulation.
The late goal was the second time this season the Raiders have netted the game-tying goal with less than three minutes left in regulation. Colgate tied the match against UAlbany in the 89th minute before going on to secure the victory in overtime.
There would be no game-winner on Friday night, as neither side could capitalize in 20 minutes of overtime action.
Aram Ouligian had the best opportunity for either squad and it came just over two minutes into the first extra frame. A Pioneer foul inside the box gave Ouligian a penalty kick, and he went for the right corner but Denver keeper Nick Gardner made a diving stop to keep the Pioneers alive.
Harris matched his counterpart with a pair of crucial saves in the second overtime to give the Raiders momentum. The Pioneers controlled more possession in the final 10 minutes, but Harris snared a long cross in the final seconds to preserve the 1-1 double overtime draw.
The opening 45 minutes were entertaining despite neither side finding the back of the net. Colgate had the first opportunity of the match just over six minutes in after a Denver defender lost his footing and pushed the ball past the goal line to give the Raiders a corner kick.
Kentaro Morrison sent the corner into the box, but the Pioneers' goaltender won the battle in front and punched the ball out of the box.
Harris made his first big save of the night just over three minutes later when a quick pass left Andre Shinyashiki with an open shot from point blank. Harris leaped and snagged the shot out of the air before tucking it in and clearing the threat.
Anchored by senior captain
Tim Oberg and a stout Raider defense, Colgate forced several turnovers near the center of the pitch and allowed for sustained pressure in the offensive zone.
Oliver Harris came away with a clear shot just outside of the box on the left side and fired a shot that hooked wide left in the 25th minute. Shortly thereafter, Morrison made a nice move on a defender but his left-footed shot from 20 yards out sailed just high.
Christian Clarke came inches from giving the Raiders the lead after
Ryan Krueger delivered a corner kick into the box. Clarke sent a quick header through traffic and past the Pioneers' keeper, but a defender knocked the shot away before it crossed the goal line and both teams went into the locker room locked at 0-0.
BOTTOM LINE
• No. 13 Colgate 1, No. 6 Denver 1.
RECORD UPDATES
• Both teams are now 3-0-1 on the season.
• The Raiders are unbeaten through their first four games for the first time since 2011.
KEY RAIDER INFO
• Colgate is just the fourth team since 2014 to force a draw after Denver scored first at home. The Pioneers are now 56-2-4 over that span.
• The Raiders are the second team to score against the Pioneers this season.
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Steven DeLeo became the sixth different Raider to net a goal this season.
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Kian Alberto's assist was the first point of his collegiate career.
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Jacob Harris finished with three saves.
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Aram Ouligian led Colgate with four shots and two shots on goal.
FACTS AND FIGURES
• Shots finished 13-10 in favor of Denver.
• Colgate held a 5-4 advantage in shots on goal.
• The Raiders dominated corner kicks 10-2.
• Colgate committed 16 goals, while Denver was called for 13 fouls.
FROM THE SOURCE
- Colgate head coach Erik Ronning: It was an outstanding collegiate soccer game between two teams that are off to a great start to the season. I am extremely proud of our resiliency once again after being down a goal. I thought we played well both offensively and defensively, particularly down the stretch. We continue to grow as a team every game, but still have many areas to improve. With a quick turnaround, we will focus on recovering and preparing for a very strong Air Force team.
GATE GRAB BAG
• Attendance at DU Soccer Stadium was 666.
UP NEXT
• Colgate will stay in Colorado to take on Air Force Sunday at 1 p.m. MT / 3 p.m. ET.
