BOSTON – It had to be in dramatic fashion. There was no other way.
That's been the Colgate theme, and the Raiders added another one to their belt on Wednesday night, knocking off top-seeded Boston University 1-0 in double overtime to advance to the Patriot League championship.
Sage DiGiulio was the semifinal hero, but a total team effort sends the Raiders to their first Patriot League championship since 2014. Colgate now hosts Navy for the title on Saturday at 2 p.m.
After 100 minutes of a back-and-forth stalemate, it took just 33 seconds into double overtime before DiGiulio and the Raiders finally broke through.
From the far corner,
Adrienne Vaughn pivoted and twirled a perfect centering pass into the box. DiGiulio was on the receiving end and the rest is history. She fired home the golden goal and was met by the Raider mob before she could reach the sidelines.
The win marks Colgate's second-all-time against Boston U, improving to 2-8-1 overall. Those two wins have come in the last two seasons.
The hard-working Raiders earned the better possession early.
Ellis Miller forced the first save just over a minute into the contest and then DiGiulio struck a long shot on frame in the 17th minute.
Ruby Diodati came away with a couple free kick opportunities but the Terrier defense eliminated both threats.
Sophia Boggs and the Raider back line was just as solid on the other end, holding Boston U to one shot on target in the first half. Colgate (4-3-1, 2-2-0 PL North) owned a 5-2 advantage in shots, including a 2-1 edge in shots on goal, but the two teams were scoreless after 45 minutes.
Most of the early second-half battles occurred in midfield with neither team gaining an edge offensively.
Colgate's best chance in regulation came in the 77th minute when
Sara Anelli served a cross into the center of the box. DiGiulio sent two shots on target from the doorstep, but the first one was saved and the second attempt was deflected over the net.
Boggs made the save of the game in the 86th minute after a long cross was redirected to the right wing, where Grace Gerrara had an open look at the net, but Boggs hugged the post and jumped to push the ball outside. That was the final chance of regulation and the teams were destined for overtime.
Colgate came out with a vengeance in the extra session. The Raiders dominated possession and outshot Boston U 4-0 in the first overtime before potting the game-winner early in the second overtime.
FROM THE SOURCE
Head Coach Lyndse Hokanson
On advancing to the Patriot League championship:
"At a certain point saying that I'm proud to coach this group loses a bit of its meaning because I say it so often. And yet, I have a hard time finding other ways to encapsulate how it feels to be a part of the journey with this team.
"The way they have battled and persevered, on the field and off, stuck together, believed in one another. We have had to take on really good teams on the road time and again, and tonight was no different. We played a very good Boston U side, which had plenty of dangerous moments. Our backline and Sophia [Boggs] played outstanding, weathering some spells of pressure immensely well. Front to back we defended hard.
"I am so happy for Sage [DiGiulio] to have been rewarded and be the one to put us into the final. Now time to recover and prepare for the opportunity for a Patriot League championship!"
NOTES
• Colgate makes its first Patriot League championship appearance since 2014, which was also the last title game hosted at Beyer-Small '76 Field.
• The Raiders are vying for their 13th Patriot League title and first since 2012.
• The win extends Colgate's unbeaten streak to four games, including three straight shutouts. Three of those four decisions have come in overtime.
•
Sage DiGiulio's game-winning goal was her first of the season and fifth of her career.
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Sophia Boggs registered a season-high four saves in her third consecutive clean sheet.
UP NEXT
Colgate hosts Navy in the Patriot League championship on Saturday. Kickoff from Beyer-Small '76 Field is 2 p.m., with ESPN+ carrying the livestream. The Raiders beat the Midshipmen 2-1 in double-overtime in the season opener back on Feb. 28.
