HAMILTON – Colgate came out on the short end of a hard-fought 1-0 decision against Navy in the Patriot League opener for both teams on Saturday night at Beyer-Small '76 Field.
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With the loss, Colgate fell to 1-6-1 overall and 0-1 in Patriot League play. Navy, meanwhile, picked up its eighth straight win to improve to 9-1-0 on the season and 1-0 in the league.
The two teams were engaged in a defensive battle through the first half. The game's first shot did not come until the 29th minute, when Navy's Hannah Miller misfired high and wide. Colgate's back line held the Mids without a shot on goal through the first 45 minutes.
Ellis Miller had a long-range shot blocked in the 33rd minute and
Dom DeMarco sailed a shot just wide before
Sage DiGiulio forced a save from Navy keeper Sydney Fortson in the 44th minute to send the match to halftime 0-0.
Colgate rattled off the first three shots of the second half.
Ruby Diodati created a golden scoring opportunity off a corner kick three minutes into the second stanza but
Emily Amano's one-timer was blocked before the shot crossed the goal line.
Despite the aggressive Raiders attack, Navy shifted the momentum its way with the opening goal in the 57th minute. Kristina Dzhandzhapanyan answered on a cross from Jeana Freeman in front to beat Chiavaro and break the scoreless contest.
Colgate won several 1-on-1 battles at midfield and elevated its offensive pressure.
Leah Lewis was inches from the tying goal in the 72nd minute when her header off Diodati's corner was redirected past the outstretched arms of Fortson in goal. But a Mids defender at the goal line deflected the ball out of danger to end the threat.
The Raiders continued to press and had Navy playing on its heels for most of the second half. Lewis just missed wide of the left post on another shot in the 89th minute and
Adrienne Vaughn forced a save in the final seconds of regulation as Navy held on for the 1-0 victory.
BOTTOM LINE
Navy 1, Colgate 0
QUOTES
Head Coach Kathy Brawn
On the game:
"We started the game really well tonight. We were able to have an attacking mentality and push forward. Navy is a fantastic team that had momentum coming in. You saw two really well-prepared teams. They found a moment to finish, and we were equal to the task every time. This certainly was not the result we wanted but it was not because of lack of effort. As much as I hate to lose, there were so many positive signs for us moving forward through league play."
On the strong back line:
"We spent a lot of time this week focusing on restarts. We created some outstanding chances on the offensive end and they were great two-way players tonight. We lean on them a lot but tonight our back line was fantastic."
On American next Saturday:
"We have another week of preparation ahead of us. Every team is battling so hard to find their place in the league so we know from here on out we are always facing teams that are focused and determined to win games. There is no rest, but at this point it is about what we need to do. We need to win games. We've gotten to the point where we're creating a lot of good things and now we've got to find that victory."
NOTABLES
- Colgate outshot Navy 11-7 and 3-2 on goal.
- The Raiders finished with four corner kicks to Navy's two.
- Mara Cosentino, DeMarco, and Lewis led the Raiders with two shots apiece.
- DiGiulio, Lewis, and Vaughn registered Colgate's three shots on goal.
- Colgate held a 60-40 advantage in possession for the game.
- The Raiders kept Navy to season lows in shots (7), shots on goal (2), and corners (2).
- The Mids' lone loss this season came against LSU back on Aug. 25.
UP NEXT
Colgate heads to American for a Patriot League matchup next Saturday, Sept. 28, at 2 p.m.
