AIR FORCE ACADEMY, Colo. — Colgate men's lacrosse fell short in its season opener Saturday, dropping an 11-10 decision to Air Force.
After falling behind 9-4, the Raiders made a late push at the end of the third, scoring five-unanswered goals to tie the game up at 9-9. The Falcons would pull back ahead in the fourth and retain their lead till the end.
Rory Connor led the Raiders with four points, notching two goals and two assists.
Adam Salvaggio also tallied a pair of goals in the game.
Trailing 2-0 early in the first, the Raiders scored three straight to take a 3-2 lead at the 7:22 mark of the quarter.
Thomas Colucci started it off, scoring Colgate's first goal of the season off a faceoff win. Salvaggio then found the back of the net, followed by first year
Hunter Drouin scoring his first career goal.
The Falcons ended the first and began the second on a 5-0 run, which included a man-up goal.
Max Yates halted the Falcons' streak when he scored with just under six minutes remaining to cut the lead to three at 7-4. The score would remain the same heading into the halftime break.
In the third, Air Force fired in a pair of goals to push its lead to five at 9-4. Colgate then took over the remainder of the third, scoring five straight to end the quarter.
The Raiders' run began with Salvaggio scoring his second of the contest to make it 9-5. Connor then put one in to make a three-goal game, followed by
Michael Kiely getting his name in the scorebook less than two minutes later.
With 21 seconds remaining,
Michael Minicus tallied a goal to make it 9-8.
Patty Eldredge then notched his first career goal with four seconds remaining to knot the game up at 9-9.
The Falcons scored a minute into the fourth to regain the lead. Neither side would capitalize again until just over two minutes remaining when Air Force did so to push its advantage back to two at 11-9.
Colgate cut the lead back to one with 1:28 remaining when Connor tallied his second of the afternoon.
The Raiders put on a late push and scored what would have been the game-tying goal, but they got called for a crease violation.
Colgate finished with a 27-23 advantage in shots. Sophomore goalie
Matt LaCombe recorded 12 saves in net for the Raiders.
FROM THE SOURCE
Head Coach Matt Karweck
"There was a critical moment in this game when we were down by five and our backs were up against the wall. When I saw that fight, that determination, and that grit to storm back, I knew that we have what it takes to be a great team.
It wasn't the performance we were looking for in terms of execution, but the pieces are there, the fight is there, and our ability to score quickly is an element that you haven't seen here in awhile.
We had plenty of chances to tie it, and unfortunately the bounces didn't go our way down the stretch. All in all, I am proud of our effort, our preparation, our professional approach, and our composure as the game went on. We will clean up a few areas this week at practice, recover, and get ready to battle another well coached team on Saturday."
UP NEXT
The Raiders welcome Hobart to Crown Field at Andy Kerr Stadium next Saturday for their home opener. Opening faceoff is at noon.
