HAMILTON – In a game of scoring runs, the Colgate women's lacrosse program was able to come out on top behind a push in the final minutes of regulation.
 
With the effort, the Raiders earned a 15-13 victory over Boston University in the Patriot League Quarterfinals on Monday afternoon. The seven different goal-scorers and solid defensive play in the back row, Colgate earned the right to advance to the Semifinals at Loyola on Thursday.
 
HOW IT HAPPENED
Just a minute in, the first score came by the stick of a Boston U. player but a wraparound by Catie Lang tied it early. Eliza Farriss followed it up by taking the ball deep into the arc for a 2-1 advantage, but a quick answer by the Terriers led to a five-goal run and a 6-2 BU lead.
 
Eventually snapping the streak was Cara O'Reilly as she scored on a free position for a 6-3 game midway through the half, while minutes later, it was followed up with a pretty cut to the cage by Farriss to reach a two-goal differential.
 
That is when the scoring began to alternate, as Boston U. answered within a minute, before a feed by Lang found Courtney Quirk to return it to a two-goal game. After Boston added another, a quick stick bounce in by Kyra Lucey ignited an offensive run by the Raiders. Farriss' hat trick tally returned play to a one-goal game at 7-8, then after trailing by as many as four, O'Reilly tied the game at 8s as she sent a wide-angle shot to the back of the cage.
 
Cleaning up on the draw, the Raiders' run was fueled by gaining the first possession. After trailing in draw control wins 12-1 midway through the opening half, Colgate finished the opening 30:00 with five straight wins on the draw for a 12-6 mark.
 
After Noelle Patterson and Lucey points were added, Colgate finished the half on a five-goal run. When their first lead came early at 2-1, the Raiders rallied ahead for a 10-8 advantage heading into the locker room.
 
Returning to the field, O'Reilly reached her hat trick to open the scoring. Boston U. snapped the six-goal streak by the Raiders to make it 11-9. Farriss added her season-best fourth on the free position for a 12-9 mark, but just as the Raiders had their run, it was time for BU to hit theirs. Going on a 5-1 run to open the second half, the Terriers were able to regain the lead at 13-12.
 
Looking to extend their season, the Raiders battled back as Eliza Soutter crossed to the far side as Colgate's seventh goal-scorer to tie the game at 13s. Converting on the free position, Farriss' fifth found the go-ahead at 14-13 late in regulation, before the Raiders extended to a three-goal run.
 
As a turnover left the ball open in the Terrier zone, Lucey recovered it to assist Lang for a two-goal advantage at 15-13 with just over a minute to play. Staying solid in the cage, Amelia Cunningham made back-to-back saves in the final minute to hold off Boston's final push for a 15-13 final and a trip to the Patriot League Semifinals.
 
STATISTICAL STANDOUTS
• After notching her third hat trick of the season, first-year Eliza Farriss recorded a season-high of five goals off of eight shots. She went 2-for-2 on free position attempts.  
• Behind three goals and two assists, sophomore Cara O'Reilly recorded a career-high of five points on the day. She also had a well-rounded performance featuring two draw control wins, one ground ball, and one caused turnover.
•Leading the Raiders in the circle was first-year Catie Lang behind a team-high of six draw control wins. She also added three points by two goals and one assist.
• With her tally, sophomore Eliza Soutter has scored in all 10 games this season to hold a team-leading 32 on the year.
• Also of note, senior Olivia Duarte recorded a season-high of three caused turnovers.
• The program had pregame recognitions for its eight-player Class of 2021 and for the Patriot League Rookie of the Year Amelia Cunningham.
 
THE BOTTOM LINE
• Colgate 15, Boston U. 13
 
RECORD UPDATES
• Colgate holds a 5-5 record, and earned a 3-4 mark in Patriot League action.
• Boston University completes the season at 4-6 overall on the season, and went 3-2 in Patriot League play.
 
HEAD COACH KATHY TAYLOR'S TAKE
"I'm really proud of the grit we showed today. After the cancellation of our last home game, today we were able to celebrate our eight seniors at home and that was very meaningful to all. The Class of 2021 has been a group of true leaders this year.
 
"Across the field, it was great to have Eliza Farriss back in the midfield and the scoring of the day was a shared effort from seven different players. Hanna Christian played outstanding defense with three caused turnovers and two ground balls.
 
"We are thrilled to still be playing and planning a trip to Loyola for the Patriot League Semifinal."
 
UP NEXT
Colgate now travels to Loyola to face the No. 1 overall seed in the Patriot League Semifinals on Thursday, May 6. First draw on the Semifinals is set for 3 p.m.
 
FOLLOW THE RAIDERS
For more information on the Colgate women's lacrosse program, follow the Raiders on Twitter @ColgateWLax and on Instagram at ColgateWLax.