EASTON, Pa. – Justin Weiss scored his first collegiate goal but Colgate's late surge came up short in a 2-1 decision at Lafayette on Saturday at Oaks Stadium.
The Raiders faced a two-goal deficit for most of the second half after the Leopards' Martin Ssessanga doubled the home team's lead in the 52nd minute. But Colgate found an offensive breakthrough down the stretch and had the better chances late in regulation.
Weiss rattled a shot off the post in the 58th minute and
Bobby Foose forced a tough save from the Leopards keeper one minute later as Colgate picked up the pressure.
Antonio Ducrot sent a high shot off the woodwork again in the 73rd minute and
Max Edelstein's rebound from the doorstep sailed high.
Weiss had another late opportunity and cashed in to get the Raiders on the board. He beat his defender and cut to the right before threading the needle with a shot inside the right post in the 87th minute.
Aidan Davock earned a quality chance at the equalizer one minute later, but his shot sailed high.
Lafayette (3-0) was playing in front for most of the game after Will Echeverria scored two minutes into the game. A corner kick entered the box and Echeverria headed a high shot into the netting for the early go-ahead marker.
Andrew Cooke was solid the rest of the way, finishing with two saves in the opening 45 minutes to keep it a one-goal contest. The Leopards once again charged early in the second half to extend their lead to 2-0.
Colgate (0-3) tilted the field in its favor late in the game, but the Raiders could not complete the comeback and the home team escaped with a 2-1 final.
FROM THE SOURCE
Head Coach Erik Ronning
On the game:
"Falling behind early on the road complicates the game and that's what we did today. We found a way to respond and competed until the end. Our team must take the lesson from this one and move forward. We have a young team who is learning and growing daily."
NOTES
•
Andrew Cooke is Colgate's third different starting keeper in three games.
•
Justin Weiss is the second Colgate goal scorer this season, joining fellow freshman
Aidan Davock.
• The Raiders outshot Lafayette 6-3 in the second half after being down 5-1 through the first 45.
• Lafayette held a 5-2 advantage in shots on goal and 4-2 edge in corner kicks.
• Weiss (3) and Davock (2) paced the Raiders with five of the team's seven shots.
UP NEXT
Colgate has its bye week before returning to action April 3 at Bucknell. Kickoff from Lewisburg is set for 12 noon.
