WASHINGTON – Antonio Ducrot scored his first collegiate goal with just over a minute left in double overtime and
Jacob Harris recorded three saves to lead the Colgate men's soccer team past American 1-0 on Saturday.
In a defensive showdown between two teams vying for a postseason seed, a header by
Christian Clarke in the 109th minute made the difference. The senior captain saved a ball near the goal line and headed a cross in front.
Edward Bass' connection inside the box was saved, but Ducrot buried the rebound for the golden goal with just 1:02 left on the clock.
Behind a stellar defensive effort, Harris finished with three saves to record his sixth shutout of the season in the win.
The game's first shot came in the 15th minute when American's Nick Dimitrijevic broke through the Raider back line inside the box but sailed a shot high over the crossbar after Harris raced out to eliminate the momentum.
Ryan Krueger rifled the Raiders' first shot on target in the 28th minute. A foul on Bass just outside the box set up Krueger for a low shot that Eagles keeper Jake Agnew scooped up for the save. A corner kick for Colgate immediately followed and Clarke headed a shot wide as the Raiders picked up pressure.
Neither side could generate an offensive threat through the first half as Krueger's shot stood as the lone on frame over the first 45 minutes. Strong defensive play paved the way to a scoreless opening stanza with Colgate leading in shots 2-1.
Colgate (4-8-4, 2-3-1 Patriot) came out strong in the second half and threatened early. Clarke had a shot blocked near the goal line and Bass just missed on a shot wide of the right post. Both opportunities led to a pair of corner kicks but the Raiders were unable to capitalize.
American (2-10-2, 2-4-1 Patriot) was contained without a shot on target until the 65th minute. The home team's best chance came shortly after when Jack Green redirected a cross from the center of the box toward the left post. Harris dove and stretched his arm out to deflect the low shot away for his second save.
Mason Miller nearly had the go-ahead marker in the 81st minute, but his breakaway shot was saved by Agnew and Colgate and American went to overtime still scoreless.
Harris registered his third save in the 94th minute to hold off the Eagles before Ducrot sent the Raiders home with a 1-0 victory behind his first career marker in double overtime.
BOTTOM LINE
Colgate 1, American 0 (2OT)
QUOTES
Head Coach Erik Ronning
On the win:
"Our guys were so committed today and worked incredibly hard throughout the match. The composure we played with through some tricky moments was also great to see.
"We kept on pushing for a goal and I am proud we found a way to grind out an important win on the road. Every result is so important at this point in the season. Now we look forward to beginning our preparation for Navy."
NOTABLES
- The shutout was Colgate's sixth of the season.
- Harris is now tied with Keith Sipes '94 for the second-most shutouts in program history (20). David Cappuccio '09 holds the school record with 23.
- Ducrot became Colgate's eighth different goal scorer this season.
- Clarke is now paired with Drew Fischer for the team lead in assists (3).
- Bass notched his first career assist on the game-winning goal.
- Colgate outshot American 4-0 in double overtime to hold an 11-10 edge for the game.
- The Raiders matched their season low for shots on goal allowed in a game (3).
- Corner kicks finished even at 5-5.
UP NEXT
Colgate returns home for Senior Day next Saturday against Navy at 4 p.m. The Raiders will honor their six seniors prior to kickoff at Beyer-Small '76 Field, with the Patriot League Network carrying the livestream.
