WASHINGTON – The Colgate women's soccer team scored two unanswered goals to fight back for a 2-2 double-overtime draw at American on Saturday afternoon.
Colgate (1-6-2, 0-1-1 PL) came out hot with the first four shots, including a blast on target from
Sage DiGiulio, but American found its way on the board in the 27th minute. Shortly after Emily Smith rang a shot off the crossbar, she twirled a free kick from just outside the 18-yard box over the defenders and into the upper corner of the net for the go-ahead strike.
The Eagles (4-5-1, 0-1-1 PL) quickly doubled their lead on a high-center strike from Samm Francucci in the 34th minute before the Raiders countered with sufficient rhythm on the attack.
Sydney Maxson beamed a set piece laser off the right post in the 40th minute before
Ruby Diodati found the sweet spot under a minute later on a free kick of her own to cut the deficit to 2-1.
Nicole Appuzi forced a save in the final minutes of the half and Colgate owned a healthy 8-3 advantage in shots but trailed the Eagles at intermission, 2-1.
Pressure was neutralized in the early stages of the second half after
Abby Sotomayor forced a diving save by the Eagles keeper three minutes in. Colgate keeper
Sophia Boggs picked up her first save of the half in the 50th minute on a high blast from Alysa Vazquez.
Mara Cosentino misfired left on a low beam in the 53rd minute but that would be the final opportunity until DiGiulio struck a shot on net in the 68th minute. Colgate found a breakthrough late to sustain pressure and DiGiulio cashed in with the equalizer in the 77th minute.
Lindsey Wiley dribbled down the left side and into Eagles territory before sending a cross into the six-yard box.
Leah Lewis stuffed the ball forward and it bounced around in front before DiGiulio deposited a low shot into the netting to knot the score at 2-2. Boggs later tallied a key save in the final minutes of regulation to send the match to overtime.
Colgate dominated possession in the first overtime, outshooting American, 4-0. Amy Krotine came up with a pair of saves on offerings from
Hannah Pinkus and
Julia Lindsey to keep the match even.
Ellis Miller came away with a strong scoring chance in the 105th minute, but her high blast was saved and the match ultimately ended in a 2-2 stalemate.
BOTTOM LINE
Colgate 2, American 2 (2OT)
QUOTES
Head Coach Kathy Brawn
On the comeback:
"Coming back from a two goal deficit in any situation is a huge challenge. Accomplishing it in a conference game on the road is impressive. This was a true team effort today. Everyone – all 29 players – contributed in significant ways to help us get a valuable point on the road."
On the two goals and improved defense:
"Both goals were impressive and the team did a great job keeping the pressure on American for much of the game.
Sophia Boggs stepped in and impressed in goal, anchoring a solid defensive effort through the second half and overtime. This team is working incredibly hard to get the win and today was a big step in the right direction."
NOTABLES
- Colgate's 27 shots were its most in a game since tallying the same amount against Cornell last October.
- The Raiders' 12 strikes on goal were their most since netting 13 against Lafayette on Oct. 7, 2017.
- Boggs saw her first action of the season in goal and recorded a pair of saves.
- DiGiulio's three shots on target paced the Raiders offensively.
- Cosentino tallied five shots overall with one on frame.
- 11 different Raiders registered a shot and nine put a ball on net.
- American's Krotine was forced to make eight saves in the draw.
UP NEXT
Colgate returns to action on Wednesday for a Patriot League matchup at Holy Cross starting at 6 p.m.
