HAMILTON – Colgate conceded an early goal and was never able to recover in a 1-0 defeat to Syracuse on Tuesday night in a non-conference battle at Beyer-Small '76 Field.
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The loss dropped Colgate to 1-3-4 overall. Syracuse improved to 3-2-3 with the win.
Colgate dug itself an early hole after a turnover in the defensive zone handed Syracuse's Massimo Ferrin a breakaway. Ferrin quickly approached the goal and struck a low shot into the netting for a 1-0 lead 1:08 into the match.
Jacob Harris was a brick wall from there on out for the Raiders. He registered three saves in the first half, including a diving save on a grade-A opportunity for the Orange in the 38th minute. Ryan Raposo made a shifty move inside the six-yard box and claimed the left corner of the net but Harris slid across and dove full extension to knock the ball away from danger.
Chris DePetro earned Colgate's best opportunity late in the half as the Raiders began to turn the tides.
Simon Fisher threaded a pass forward to the right side of the 18-yard box, where DePetro weaved his way into the center before firing a low shot on target. Syracuse keeper dropped to his knees and brushed the shot just enough before it crossed the goal line.
The Raiders shifted the momentum in their favor and dictated the tempo for the majority of the second half.
Drew Fischer had a shot blocked from the top of the 18-yard box in the 46th minute before
Edward Bass forced a save on a near breakaway in the 57th minute.
Bobby Foose twirled a set piece into the box from 20 yards out, but
Christian Clarke's one-timer header was redirected wide in the 78th minute. Harris was not tested in goal in the final 45 minutes as the Raiders continued to force the issue in search of the equalizer.
Colgate earned one final chance on a corner kick in the waning seconds of regulation. The Raiders brought all 11 into the box and Harris connected on the cross from Foose but his header was sent wide as time expired.
BOTTOM LINE
Syracuse 1, Colgate 0
QUOTES
Head Coach Erik Ronning
On the game:
"Certainly unfortunate to concede the way we did. Credit to Syracuse. They are a well-coached, very strong team. We fell through on many little things that are so critical to success both offensively and defensively. We were fortunate Jacob kept us in the game early, but we were still right there. We should have scored late in the half on Chris' chance. Another day that goes in and we go into the half tied 1-1."
On the team's strong second half:
"The message at halftime was essentially to step up our competitive spirit. And we came out inspired. We were communicating better, defending with more discipline, connecting with more pressure, and we were dangerous. Nothing came of it, but our mentality challenged the opposition and made a huge difference. That is what I hope we can learn from today. For 90 minutes we have to play with that same edge and grit."
On Saturday at Army:
"I am certainly proud of our effort. This is something we have to carry over. I am confident that if we do, we will have a breakthrough. We are getting closer to being a really good team. We have 10 games left in this regular season. Now we have to move forward and focus on a really tough Army team. We are going to prepare for a competitive battle and we will be mentally and physically ready."
NOTABLES
- Colgate Soccer alum Rob Stone '91, who currently works for Fox Sports, was in attendance Tuesday night and joined on the broadcast for the second half.
- Senior Sebastian El Abdellaoui made his first collegiate start and played a career-high 54 minutes.
- DePetro, Morrison, and Bass tallied Colgate's three shots on goal.
- Harris finished with three saves in the defeat.
- Colgate and Syracuse finished with five shots apiece in the second half and the Raiders fired the only shot on target over the final 45 minutes.
UP NEXT
Colgate heads to West Point on Saturday to face Army at 7 p.m. in a rematch of last year's Patriot League Championship. The game will be streamed on Patriot League Network.
