HAMILTON – Similar script, same result.
 
Ally Giovino netted her second goal of the season and Colgate held Eastern Michigan without a shot on target for its second consecutive shutout to start the season in a 1-0 result Thursday night at Beyer-Small '76 Field.
 
Colgate controlled possession from start to finish in the first half. Early chances led to a pair of corner kicks, but it was an Eastern Michigan turnover that led to the first goal of the night.
 
Hannah Pinkus intercepted an outlet pass and quickly sent a through ball toward the top of the box, where Giovino turned and fired a low shot inside the left post for the go-ahead tally in the 22nd minute. The goal marked Giovino's second in as many games.
 
Paige Foa was inches away from her first collegiate marker, but after making a move on the right side of the box her shot whistled off the crossbar. Colgate outshot Eastern Michigan 11-1 in the opening 45 minutes. Emma Hickey, making her first collegiate start in goal for the Raiders, was unscathed at the intermission.
 
The Raiders continued to force pressure in the second half, leading to more offensive opportunities. An Eagles' defender made a desperation save in front of the net, and minutes later Merritt Smith's twirling cross was intercepted by the Eastern Michigan keeper before Giovino could connect on the offensive end. 
 
Eastern Michigan generated some late threats, but the Raider back line did not concede a shot on goal en route to Colgate's second straight clean sheet. 
 
Colgate finished with a 17-4 advantage in shots, including a 7-0 edge in shots on goal. Corner kicks were 8-0 in favor of the Raiders.
 
FROM THE SOURCE
Head Coach Lyndse Hokanson
 
"I am proud of the effort from our group today. We worked hard all the way through. Eastern Michigan is a tough defensive team, and we knew we were up against a very organized, disciplined side. We settled in moments for half-chances and hope that we will continue to get more sophisticated in that aspect as we carry on through the season.
 
"I am really proud to earn another shutout. Credit to our backs and to Emma [Hickey] in her first start. We really didn't give them much at all, but in moments it broke down I felt we managed well. Overall, not every win is going to be pretty, and our group fought hard for 90 minutes through the heat. Nice to get another win and we hope to keep building from here."
 
UP NEXT
Colgate hits the road for six of its next seven matches. The Raiders head to Philadelphia, Pa., on Sunday for a 2 p.m. kickoff at La Salle.