ITHACA, N.Y. – It was a defensive battle from start to finish, but a Cornell goal in the 75th minute gave the Big Red a 1-0 victory over the Colgate men's soccer team on Tuesday night in non-conference action at Berman Field.
 
Scoring chances were hard to come by, as the game's first shot on goal did not come until early in the second half. As the intensity picked up late, a Colgate turnover led to the only goal of the game in the 75th minute, when Cornell's Griffin Garrard collected a header pass from Brandon Morales and sent a left-footed shot into the back of the net from the left side of the box.
 
Kian Alberto generated the Raiders' best scoring chance minutes later. The sophomore struck a set piece into the box and it deflected off John Muckstadt's head toward the right wing. Mason Miller was in position for the loose ball and he cranked a low shot on frame that Cornell keeper Ryan Shellow scooped up for the save.
 
A pair of Colgate corner kicks in the 84th minute led to an opportunity for freshman Drew Fischer, who blasted a shot from the left side of the 18-yard box just wide of the left post. Colgate pressed hard for the equalizer but could not capitalize on its late possessions en route to the 1-0 final.
 
Colgate's tactical approach appeared to work in its favor early on, but a few crosses in the offensive end were out of reach of Raiders in the box. Cornell claimed the better possession throughout the opening half, striking the first three shots with none on goal.
 
Senior keeper Jacob Harris made a pair of nice plays near the goal line on back-to-back Cornell corner kicks midway through the frame. Harris raced out of the net to intercept both crosses and prevent further opportunities for the home team.
 
Shellow was not tested until he grasped a long free kick from Simon Fisher in the 32nd minute. Moments later, Kentaro Morrison forced a turnover and booted a cross into the box, where Shellow returned the favor with an intercepted pass on the cross.
 
Colgate (2-6-4) created more offensive momentum as the half wore on, but defensive strategies worked properly in a scoreless opening 45 minutes where neither side generated a shot on frame.  
 
Fischer garnered the first second-half scoring chance in the 48th minute. A foul just outside the box handed Fischer a free kick, where his ensuing shot was blocked by the Big Red wall in front of the net. Fisher earned another set piece shortly after but the Raiders were unable to continue the threat after a loose ball popped up for grabs in the center of the box.
 
The back-and-forth affair continued deep into the second half, with Cornell (6-3) coming away with the game-winning strike in the 75th minute.
 
BOTTOM LINE
Cornell 1, Colgate 0

QUOTES
Head Coach Erik Ronning
On the game:
"Our mentality was great all night and were terrific defensively. We gave Cornell next to nothing and the goal we conceded was very unfortunate."

Returning to conference play:
"It does not feel very good right now, but there are so many positives to take away from tonight as we prepare for a massive game against Lafayette."

NOTABLES

• Harris finished with two saves in the contest.
• Fischer and Miller tallied Colgate's two shots in the match.
• The Raiders held the Big Red well below their average of 16 shots per game (11).
• Cornell had an 8-3 edge in corner kicks.
• All three of Colgate's corners came in the second half.

UP NEXT
Colgate returns to Patriot League play on Saturday to take on Lafayette at 7 p.m. in Easton, Pa. Patriot League Network will carry the free livestream.