LAWRENCEVILLE, N.J. – Although the nonconference foes entered the fourth quarter with a square scoreboard at 1-1, the Colgate field hockey program was unable to withstand an offensive onslaught by Rider on Sunday afternoon. Despite Colgate's early goal by
Nikki Potter, the Broncos charged ahead for a 5-1 final.
HOW IT HAPPENED
Colgate saw its first quality scoring chance when
Blair Boyles took a wide shot to the cage, but a defensive save kept the game scoreless midway through the first quarter. Just minutes later, Rider took a shot from wide right of the goal, and the ball crossed to the lower left corner of the cage for a 1-0 score midway through the first.
Colgate saw their first corner of the game at 10:40 into the second quarter, but Rider was able to break up the play to keep it a 1-0 score for the time being. With was with just 32 seconds remaining in the first half that the Raiders were able to even the score with a gritty goal from the edge of the box. After the ball was passed in by Boyles,
Nikki Potter sunk the goal down low for the teams to enter halftime all squared away at 1-1.
As the clock ticked down in the third, Colgate was able to generate some offense off back-to-back corners, but the Rider defense was able to withstand the attack to keep it a 1-1 game. With 11:55 remaining in regulation, Rider was able to score on a bouncy rebound stemming from a corner. Just minutes later, the Broncos score with a long shot off another corner to gain a two-goal advantage with under 10:00 remaining.
Although Colgate battled back with strong neutral-zone play and long stroke attempts to clear the ball, Rider was able to capitalize on its scoring chances twice more before the final horn. After scoring on another corner in the final minutes, the Broncos capped off the scoring with just 00:03 remaining with a long shot to the top shelf for the 5-1 final.
STATISTICAL STANDOUTS
• Sophomore
Nikki Potter scored her first goal of the season when she tied the game at 1-1. Potter also scored against Rider last season, a goal tallied in overtime for the game-winner (Oct. 28, 2018).
• With a hand on Potter's goal, junior
Blair Boyles earned her second assist in the last five games, after also earning one in the season opener at Central Michigan (Aug. 30).
• Boyles also led the Raider offense with three of Colgate's six shots on goal on the day.
• With a stop early in the fourth quarter, junior
Campbell Matheis earned a defensive save, a first for her career.
• In goal, sophomore goalkeeper
Anna Unger tallied a game-high of five saves in the opening quarter, while
Emma Goldberg notched seven through the second half of action.
THE BOTTOM LINE
• Rider 5, Colgate 1
FROM HEAD COACH APRIL CORNELL
"Rider is a skillful team that plays extremely hard, we had three really strong quarters against them. We executed the game plan well but then allowed them to gain momentum after their second goal. Rider was able to enter our circle too easily and we gave up too many defensive penalty corners. Our focus going forward will be to work on playing stronger, tougher, more physical defense so that we limit the number of circle entries and defensive penalty corners."
RECORD UPDATES
• Colgate opens the season with a 2-3 start.
• Rider improves to a 3-2 mark on the season.
UP NEXT
The Raiders return to Hamilton this week, where they host three-straight games at Tyler's Field. Colgate opens the home stint on Tuesday against Albany, hosts Lehigh in its first Patriot League matchup of the year on Saturday, before welcoming in-state rival Syracuse on Sunday afternoon.
FOLLOW THE RAIDERS
For more information on the Colgate field hockey program, follow the Raiders on Twitter @ColgateFH and on Instagram at Colgate_FH.