HAMILTON — The Raiders scored twice in the first half and held American scoreless in a 2-0 victory over the Eagles on senior day Saturday at Beyer-Small '76 Field.
Ari Bezanson and
Paige Foa found the back of the net for Colgate, and goalkeeper
Alli Popham registered her fourth shutout of the season.
The team honored its six seniors before the game, including
Emma Hickey,
Maddie Cappillo,
Sara Anelli,
Lauren Rougas,
Ally Giovino, and
Lyna Schaffer.
Bezanson netted her team-leading fifth goal of the season in the 22nd minute to give the Raiders a 1-0 advantage. Anelli played a cross into the box that got redirected to Bezanson, and the sophomore fired a shot in front of the goal.
With 27 seconds remaining in the first, Foa doubled Colgate's lead.
Sophie Wand ripped a shot from outside the box that hit off the crossbar. Foa was wide open in the box and collected the rebound. She took a touch and then put home a shot, making it 2-0.
The Raiders defense held solid throughout the game, shutting down several American scoring opportunities. The Eagles had five corners in the game that Colgate's backline prevented them from scoring on.
Popham made a beautiful diving save in the 59th minute when an Eagles player connected on a header toward the top left corner.
Colgate had a couple of other good chances early in the game. In the 15th minute,
Jocelyn Rowe tried one from outside the box that American's goalie made a routine save on. Just over two minutes later, Bezanson put a header on target following a free kick that got saved.
Ellie Stokes fired one from in the box in the 36th minute, but her shot also got stopped.
The Raiders continued to attack in the second half.
Ana Schremp had two shots land off target in the first 10 minutes.
Bezanson scored what would have been her second goal of the game with 17 minutes left in the second when she volleyed a shot into the goal off a pass from Giovino, but an offside call took it back.
Anelli had one final chance in the 86th minute when she ripped one off a free kick that the goalie saved.
The Raiders finished with a 12-7 advantage in shots, including a 7-2 lead in shots on goal.
FROM THE SOURCE
Head Coach Lyndse Hokanson
"Obviously senior day celebrations are always more fun with a win. I thought the way our team approached the game today was very mature and thorough. We found moments to match the physicality and direct play of American while also picking and choosing great moments to move the ball. I'm so proud of the way every player on the team positively impacted the game - from those who started, to those who came in, and those on the sideline. It truly was a team win today in such a critical matchup for us within the league. Credit to American, they are relentless and continued to battle all the way through like we knew they would. Happy to come away with what I felt like was a well-deserved result for our team. We turn on sights now on a very difficult three-game road swing and need to carry the momentum through the week."
UP NEXT
Colgate hits the road for a midweek Patriot League matchup against Lehigh Wednesday. Kickoff is slated for 6 p.m. in Bethlehem, Pa.
