WEST POINT, N.Y. – Talk about a roller coaster ride.
Needing a win to survive, Lyna Schaffer was the double-overtime hero and Colgate left West Point with a 1-0 victory over previously-unbeaten Army and a Patriot League tournament berth.
The suddenly trending Raiders enter the postseason unbeaten in their last three games, including back-to-back shutouts, while outscoring opponents 5-0 over the last two matches. Colgate extends its Patriot League record streak of consecutive Patriot League tournament appearances to 13. Yep, lucky No. 13.
Colgate (3-3-1, 2-2 PL North) earned the No. 2 seed in the Patriot League North and squares off with top-seeded Boston University in the semifinals on Wednesday at 7 p.m.
Wednesday's winner advances to the Patriot League championship on Saturday against either Navy or Loyola. The championship is hosted by the remaining team with the highest regular-season point total.
The Raiders controlled possession for most of the game, outshooting Army 17-6 and dominating corner kicks 10-2. One last corner made the difference in the 112th minute when Ruby Diodati twirled a perfect cross into the center of the box. Schaffer from the high center headed home the golden goal and sent the Raiders into elation, culminating with a dog pile in the middle of the field.
This came after
Adrienne Vaughn nearly ended the game in the final stages of the first overtime.
Sage DiGiulio split the Army back line with a low pass to Vaughn, who attacked the goal untouched but her shot rattled off the right post. Vaughn had another breakaway chance saved late in regulation.
Including Vaughn's breakaway, Colgate came away with a flurry of late opportunities in regulation.
Hannah Pinkus forced two strong saves from Sydney Cassalia and two redirected corner kicks in the 88th minute were blocked in front of the net.
Sophia Boggs picked up her second straight shutout without recording a save, as Colgate forced Army's six shots off target. The senior keeper made big plays on the Black Knights' two corner kicks, battling defenders in the box to cover up the threats.
Colgate carried its momentum to overtime and registered two more shots and a pair of corner kicks before netting the game-winning goal and the celebration was on.
FROM THE SOURCE
Head Coach Lyndse Hokanson
On the game:
"I am actually at a bit of a loss for words for once. This team, like everyone, has been through so much this season. We knew coming into today all we could control was our own performance and result.
"The resilience, adaptability, and love this team has shown all year just really shone through in the form of never giving up and continuing to fight until the very end. We had a stellar team performance from front to back against a very good Army team, and I couldn't be more excited that we get to keep playing.
"This is a special group and I hope they can continue to believe in themselves as we start the next phase of the season."
NOTES
•
Lyna Schaffer's goal was the first of her collegiate career.
• Colgate enters the postseason unbeaten in its last three games.
• The Raiders with the win knocked out Army, which finished 2-1 in the North Division.
• Colgate's six division points trail Boston University's seven for the top seed.
• The Raiders are now 2-0 in double-overtime games with wins at Navy and Army.
• Colgate has reached the Patriot League tournament every year since 2008.
UP NEXT
Colgate heads to Boston for a semifinal matchup against the Terriers on Wednesday. Kickoff from Nickerson Field is 7 p.m. The Raiders dropped a 2-0 decision at Boston University on March 13.
