HAMILTON – A fast start – and an even faster finish.
 
Just when it looked like Saturday night's overtime thriller was headed for a second OT, Jacob Sposita in a flash rescued the Raiders and handed Colgate a much needed 12-11 victory over Holy Cross.
 
After Colgate called timeout with 40.9 seconds left in the overtime session, Brian Minicus fired wide but Michael Minicus was on the spot backing up his older brother and the Raiders retained possession. Brendan Jordan then circled around the rear of the goal and temporary lost possession as the clock closed under 10 seconds.
 
Jordan regained the ball and hurled a desperation pass toward Sposita. The first-year midfielder made the grab, took a few steps and fired from straight away.
 
Sposita's 40-foot shot rifled into the upper right corner just as the clock struck triple zeroes, setting off an on-field celebration that carried over into the locker room and likely is still echoing.
 
This one had been a long time coming.


 
The Raiders began the night with a 6-0 lead on goals from four different players. Michael Minicus had two of those on his way to a second straight hat trick, and Mike Hawkins had one to start a four-goal evening.
 
But then the snow squalls came and then the lights went out, the latter forcing a 25-minute delay and cooling the Colgate momentum. Holy Cross fought to within 6-4 by halftime and then the teams traded three goals apiece in the third quarter for a 9-7 Raiders edge.
 
Two Hawkins solo gems pushed the Colgate lead to 11-8, but the Crusaders made one last charge. They scored three times in the final 5:13 of regulation, including Jayce Lambert's tying marker with 25.4 ticks remaining.
 
Holy Cross had chances in the overtime, getting off three dangerous shots. But the Raider defense held firm to set up Sposita's last-second heroics.
 
Colgate (1-2) grabbed a key victory in this three-game stretch against Patriot League North Division opponents, with Army next Saturday and Boston University to follow. Holy Cross dropped to 1-1 overall.
 
Bottom Line
• Colgate 12, Holy Cross 11 (OT)


 
From the Sources
• Colgate head coach Matt Karweck: (On the win) "We were growing and developing so much last season and it didn't come to fruition for us. But we did the work, and now to continue to do the work and to feel the rush of a win in that way is such an unbelievable team effort. I'm so proud of this group and their dedication. And it goes for every single one on the roster.
 
"I was just talking in the locker room about how important our scout team has been to prepare us, and how every role is important. And when you celebrate with your teammates like our guys are doing right now, it really and truly is a team win and that's why I like coaching team sports so much."
 
(On overtime) "It's really hard to get stops in overtime but we had a couple of ridiculous stops in that overtime. I asked our defensive midfielders to do a lot of work today and they did; they got a lot of mileage out there. Those guys are warriors and I'm so proud of them.
 
"But to have it go down the wire like that – anything goes at the ends of quarters. Brendan Jordan saves the possession and throws it up and it bounces in the right direction, and sure enough, one of the best shooters on our team snatches it and takes a step and puts it in the back of the net for the first overtime win here in a while. I'm just elated to see the guys finally rewarded for their efforts. We didn't get that last year and tonight we did, and it's a beautiful thing."
 
(On the staff) "I value every win and it's really hard to win at the Division I level, I don't care who you are. But it's important to me that my staff – Chris Cooper, Andrew Vossler and Justin Schneidman, and Chuck Monteith in the training room – those guys are top notch. It's because of their preparation and their care and dedication to this program, which has been exemplary, that I'm honored to share with them the Colgate Raiders emblem on our shirts every day."


 
• Colgate senior attackman Mike Hawkins: (On the victory) "It was those stops in OT by the defense that were huge. We've put a big focus on being dialed in for crucial moments, and they came through.
 
"It's been a long time coming and the work hasn't shown with wins over the last year. But we are happy to get this one and happy for the future."
 
• Colgate first-year midfielder Jacob Sposita: (On the winning shot) "The pass from Brendan came out of nowhere and I just tried to make a play. It worked out.
 
"I've never been prouder to be part of a team. These guys are dogs. It was definitely a team effort and I'm just happy it came out like it did."
 
Stats of the Game
• Jordan's winning assist was his second of the night – a career high – to go with one goal.
• This was Colgate's first overtime game in more than five years, since an 11-10 victory against Bucknell back on Feb. 27, 2016.
• Thomas Colucci was a sizzling 19-of-23 in his first real duty at the faceoff-X, helping the Raiders to a 20-7 overall faceoff edge and 31-19 ground ball advantage.
• Thor Adamec was a big part of that effort with a career-high seven ground balls. Colucci also had seven.
• Defenseman Will Sidari caused two turnovers for the first time in his career.
• Because the Covid-19 Pandemic limited play last season, Colgate's most recent visit to the win column was back in April 2019 against Lafayette.


 
Up Next
• Colgate is away the next two weekends, starting at Army next Saturday.
• The sixth-ranked Black Knights are 3-1 after this week's 12-10 victory at Boston University.
• Faceoff is 1 p.m. from Michie Stadium, with ESPN+ carrying all the action.