HAMILTON – With the postseason potentially hanging in the balance, the Colgate men's soccer team scored a pair of goals just over six minutes apart to cap a 2-1 comeback victory over Navy in overtime on Senior Day at Beyer-Small '76 FIeld.
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Drew Fischer netted the golden goal on a penalty kick just 2:31 into overtime. The freshman approached the shot and faked left, forcing the Navy keeper to leave his feet. But the shot went right and pounded the netting for the walk-off winner in the 93rd minute.
Colgate (5-8-4, 3-4-1 Patriot) with the win moves into a three-way tie for fifth place with one regular-season game left. Navy (11-3-1, 4-3-1 Patriot) drops its third straight game and falls to fourth in the standings after starting the season 11-0.
The Midshipmen scored the opening goal just 3:36 into the game off a scrum in front. Nicko West was the beneficiary of a loose ball in front of the net and gave the visitors an early 1-0 lead in the fourth minute.
Navy despite being outplayed clung to the one-goal lead for over 80 minutes until the Raiders mounted their comeback late in regulation.
Jacob Harris registered three second-half saves before senior
Christian Clarke tied the game at 1-1 in the 87th minute.
Kian Alberto earned a free kick in the attacking third and sent a pass to
Ryan Krueger on the left wing. Krueger quickly lofted a cross over everybody toward the far post, where Clarke connected on the one-timer for the equalizer with just 3:35 showing on the clock.
Colgate continued to dominate the final minutes of regulation, but the two teams remained locked at 1-1 until Fischer sent the Raiders home with his third goal of the season less than three minutes into overtime.
After the early Navy goal, Colgate settled in and controlled the pace for the rest of the first half.
Kentaro Morrison had the best look but his shot from the left side rang off the post in the 38th minute. The Raiders outshot Navy 12-4 in the second half and their offensive pressure finally paid off late in regulation before Fischer's game winner in the extra session.
BOTTOM LINE
Colgate 2, Navy 1 (OT)
QUOTES
Head Coach Erik Ronning
On the win:
"I am just really proud of our entire team and the manner in which they fought today. We stuck to what we wanted to do over the course of 90-plus minutes. We were playing a very good Navy team that caused some tricky moments for us and scored the opening goal, but I am really proud of our resolve. We never lost our composure and stuck to our plan.
"Terrific result against a great team at home on Senior Day. It could not have been a better night for our young men, particularly for this group of six seniors."
Looking ahead to regular-season finale at Holy Cross:
"I look for another really tough Patriot League team that has beaten teams that we have lost to. We will prepare tactically and mentally, and make sure our guys are prepared to go into a game with a lot on the line."
On the playoff mentality:
"We are in a playoff spot right now, but one game remains, and we are still fighting for a tournament spot. Every game has been a playoff game for us recently and played with great belief and resolve with our backs against the wall. I am confident this mentality will carry over, and our guys will be ready to fight and excited to play on Wednesday."
NOTABLES
- The Raiders prior to the match honored their six seniors playing in their final regular-season home game at Beyer-Small '76 Field.
- Ronning gave all six seniors starting nods, including a first career start for Fuki Goto.
- Colgate played its fourth straight overtime match and is 3-1-0 in those contests.
- Fischer leads the team with three goals and nine points on the season.
- Clarke's equalizer was his second marker, giving him seven points on the year.
- Harris recorded three saves, all in the second half, to pick up his fifth win.
UP NEXT
Colgate wraps up the 2019 regular season on Wednesday at Holy Cross. Kickoff from Worcester, Massachusetts, is slated for 7 p.m.
