MOUNT PLEASANT, Mich. – The Colgate field hockey program fell in its season opener on Friday afternoon at Central Michigan in a 4-1 final. In a late explosion of goals, Colgate's lone tally was notched by senior
Iona MacKillop in the new four-15:00 quarter game format.
HOW IT HAPPENED
The home team earned a 1-0 lead just 6:27 into the game, a goal that would stand for nearly 40:00 as the leading point. Although the Raiders looked to edge onto the board with penalty corner chances and defensive play around the arc, the nonconference foes entered halftime with just a one-goal differential.
By sneaking the ball inside the left post, Central Michigan increased its lead to 2-0 midway through the third quarter. Before the horn sounded on the third quarter, Colgate saw a quality scoring chance by junior
Meghan Minturn as the Raiders transitioned down the field after successfully blocking a CMU corner, but was deterred at the last second by the Chippewa defense.
As the Raiders looked to battle back in the fourth quarter, a flurry of offensive action peppered both ends of the field. After the Chippewas increased their lead to 3-0, the Raiders quickly responded with MacKillop's goal just five seconds later. After just two goals in the first 38:25, three goals were tallied in a 1:12 span as Central Michigan solidified the 4-1 final.
STATISTICAL STANDOUTS
• With her fourth quarter tally, senior
Iona MacKillop scored for the first time since Sept. 24, 2017.
• Junior
Blair Boyles tallied a career-high of three shots on the day.
• Leading the Raiders 11 shots on the day was junior
Taylor Casamassa, as she marked four including one shot on goal. It is a game-high for Casamassa since marking five against Central Michigan in last season's home opener.
• Colgate held an 11-10 edge in shots on the day, although the Chippewas earned six penalty corners to the Raiders' five.
• Tending duties for the Raiders in goal was split as sophomore
Anna Unger started for the first half, marking one goal against and one save, while junior
Emma Goldberg rounded out the second half of action.
THE BOTTOM LINE
• Central Michigan 4, Colgate 1
RECORD UPDATES
• Colgate opens the 2019 season 0-1.
• Central Michigan begins the season 1-0.
HEAD COACH APRIL CORNELL'S TAKE
"We started off extremely strong and created a lot of attacking opportunities. Unfortunately, we were not able to capitalize on all of our attacks inside the circle and CMU did. CMU did a good job of denying us possession inside our attacking circle. We are ready to rebound quickly and make the necessary changes for a win tomorrow."
UP NEXT
The Raiders continue their 2019 opening weekend by facing Saint Louis tomorrow, Aug. 31 on neutral turf. Game time is slated for 3 p.m. in Mount Pleasant, Michigan.
FOLLOW THE RAIDERS
For more information on the Colgate field hockey program, follow the Raiders on Twitter @ColgateFH and on Instagram at Colgate_FH.
