HAMILTON – Colgate was unable to protect its halftime lead but bounced back to secure a 1-1 double-overtime draw against Bucknell in the Patriot League opener on Saturday evening at Beyer-Small '76 Field.
 
Colgate moves to 1-2-4 overall and 0-0-1 in league play with the tie. Bucknell is now 2-3-1 and 0-0-1 as the two teams each pick up a point.
 
Colgate wasted little time getting on the board. Moments after Max Edelstein forced a diving save on a header inside the six-yard box, the freshman connected on a corner kick from Kian Alberto and struck the back of the net for the early go-ahead marker in the 10th minute.
 
The Raiders kept the ball out of dangerous areas for most of the first half. Jacob Harris made a nice play on a long cross late in the half that proved to be Bucknell's best opportunity. Shots were 5-1 at intermission and Colgate carried its 1-0 lead into the locker room.
 
The Bison were hungry in the second half and earned a penalty kick just over a minute in. Harris was tested for the first time in the game, and once again, the senior keeper came through. He dove to his right and tucked the low shot into his arm to keep the Raiders in front.
 
A pair of corner kicks in the 51st and 54th minutes kept Bucknell with possession near the goal mouth but Harris and the Raider back line stood tall. Drew Fischer appeared to give Colgate a 2-0 lead with a throw-in from the far sideline that went untouched into the back of the net in the 63rd minute.
 
The officials ruled no goal, however, and Bucknell quickly turned the tides to knot the match at 1-1 just minutes later. A through ball split two defenders and Matt Thorsheim lifted a shot high over Harris into the netting for the equalizer in the 69th minute.
 
Ryan Krueger nearly put the Raiders back in front in the 85th minute on a shot from the right side of the 18-yard box. He beat the Bison keeper on a shot inside the post, but a Bucknell defender crossed over to redirect the shot out of the net.
 
After Colgate owned a healthy lead in shots at halftime, total shots count was all even at 7-7 late in the stanza. The Raiders earned a late corner kick in the final seconds of regulation but could not get a shot off and the two teams went to overtime still level at 1-1.
 
Alberto fired Colgate's lone shot on frame in the second overtime and forced a diving stop from the Bison keeper. Harris was not tested in 20 minutes of overtime sessions and the two teams settled for a 1-1 draw.
 
BOTTOM LINE
Colgate 2, Bucknell 2 (2OT)

QUOTES
Head Coach Erik Ronning
On the game:
"The first half was quality soccer. We started incredibly well and played in the front foot from the opening whistle. This is something to build on. Bucknell stepped up their pressure in the second half and we did not respond well. This is something we must learn and grow from."
 
On the team's response to Bucknell's equalizer:
"We did respond and after conceding, we played incredibly hard until the final whistle. We had a couple golden looks but were not able to capitalize. I am always proud of our effort and we will look to keep moving forward and get ready for Syracuse on Tuesday."
 
NOTABLES

• Edelstein's goal was his first career marker.
• He is the fourth goal scorer this season for the Raiders.
• Alberto picked up his first assist of the season on Edelstein's tally.
• Harris finished with three saves on the evening.
• Fouls were 10-8 in favor of Colgate.
• Bucknell held a 4-3 advantage in corner kicks.
• Colgate held 74-26 possession control in the first half.
• Possession percentages for the game finished 59-41 in favor of the Raiders.

 
UP NEXT
Colgate steps out of Patriot League play for a 7 p.m. kickoff against intrastate rival Syracuse on Tuesday night at Beyer-Small '76 Field. Patriot League Network will carry the free livestream.