BOSTON – It was a back-and-forth battle through the final horn as the Colgate women's lacrosse program concluded the regular season on Saturday evening.
 
Despite their fight, the Raiders fell just short in the 15-14 decision. With a bye this week, they now prepare for the Patriot League Quarterfinals on May 3.
 
HOW IT HAPPENED
Starting out strong, the first shot resulted in the first goal with Cara O'Reilly's top shelf tally. It was followed up with an assisted goal as O'Reilly went two-for-two, but Boston U bounced one in on a free position for a one-goal game. After a deflection in front of the net found its way into the back of Colgate's cage, the Raiders were able to quickly rebound in the back-and-forth open.
 
Noelle Patterson had a strong answer when she cut in to the left side of the net to make it 4-3, but only seven seconds later, it was tied yet again before Boston U gained its first lead at 5-4 late in the half.
 
Far from over, Catie Lang scored the equalizer from a distance as she dipped it in to tie it at 5-5. With a momentum shift, the Raiders went on a three-goal run with a Courtney Quirk goal, before Lang recorded her first career hat trick with back-to-back tallies to make it 8-6. In the final 1:50 though, Boston U. scored three straight of its own, capped with 0.7 remaining to make it 9-8 at the half.
 
Colgate came out with early pressure and even in the one-goal game, it took 4:09 for someone to score. It was Boston who gained a 10-8 edge with an arching goal, before Kyra Lucey received a feed by Lang to return to a one-goal game yet again.
 
With the offensive pressure, Quirk's second of the day came just 31 seconds later to tie the game at 10-10. The day continued to alternate scoring when a BU quick stick was followed by a behind-the-back tying goal by Eliza Soutter.
 
Sealing a six-point performance, Lang popped a free position goal for a 12-12 game while the Raiders continued to battle for the go-ahead.
 
Late in regulation, Boston's back-to-back goals proved detrimental as the Terrier's gained a 14-12 edge. Although Patterson put Colgate back within one and the Raiders continued to gain offensive opportunities with a man-up opportunity, Boston popped one more to the back of the cage with 1:46 on the clock after some whistles.
 
It was Lucey's second that reignited the Raiders in the final minutes, but despite her making it a one-goal game with 1:14 remaining, the horn would sound before Colgate could find the equalizer in the 15-14 decision.
 
STATISTICAL STANDOUTS
• After recording her first career hat trick, first-year Catie Lang completed the day with a six-point performance. Her team-high of four goals and two assists were matched with a team-leading eight draw control wins and five shots on goal. She also went 2-for-2 on free position opportunities.
• Five of Colgate's seven goal-scorers had multi-goal games, while senior Courtney Quirk earned three points by adding an assist.
• Defensively, senior Hanna Christian had a standout game that included her second goal of the season, and a season-high of four caused turnovers.
• A well-rounded performance also came from midfielder Noelle Patterson as she posted two goals on four shots, three draw control wins, and a season-high of six ground balls.
• Colgate held the edge in total shots by a 28-25 margin, as well in draw control wins 19-11.
 
THE BOTTOM LINE
• Boston U. 15, Colgate 14
 
RECORD UPDATES
• Colgate holds a 4-5 record, and a 3-4 mark in Patriot League action.
• Boston University is 4-5 overall on the season, and is 3-2 in League play.
 
UP NEXT
With the upcoming bye week, the Raiders now prepare for the six-team Patriot League Tournament. With the field yet to be set, the Raiders will first compete in the Quarterfinals on Monday, May 3.
 
FOLLOW THE RAIDERS
For more information on the Colgate women's lacrosse program, follow the Raiders on Twitter @ColgateWLax and on Instagram at ColgateWLax.