BUFFALO, N.Y. — Colgate scored twice in each half to take a 4-0 victory in its season opener against Canisius Thursday evening at Demske Sports Complex.
Ari Bezanson led the way for the Raiders, tallying her first career two-goal game.
Ellie Stokes logged a career-best three points with a goal and an assist.
Junior goalkeeper
Alli Popham made her first career start and picked up her first career shutout and her first career win.
Bezanson netted the Raiders' first goal of the season in the 13th minute.
Demi Maroudas tapped a pass to
Ally Giovino, who played a through ball into the box. After receiving the pass, Bezanson cut back and beat a defender, then fired a shot into the bottom right of the goal.
Colgate doubled its lead in the 34th minute when
Ana Schremp found the back of the net for the first time in her career.
Jordan Juetten played the ball ahead to
Jocelyn Rowe, who threaded a pass into the box for Schremp. The sophomore fired a one-time shot far post to make it 2-0 Raiders.
Stokes then made it a three-goal game in the 73rd minute. Bezanson played a pass to
Cara Schmidlein, who ripped a shot that got saved. Stokes followed the rebound and finished off a one-timer.
Bezanson netted her second of the night in the 80th minute to top off the scoring. Stokes played a cross from the left wing that Bezanson settled before ripping a shot from just outside the six-yard box.
Colgate had other chances to add to its lead, accumulating four corner kicks throughout the game. The Raiders finished with nine shots, six of which were on target.
The back line held strong for Colgate, only allowing the Golden Griffins to put two shots on goal, both of which were saved by Popham.
FROM THE SOURCE
Head Coach Lyndse Hokanson
"Really proud of the performance tonight. On the attacking side, we found a way to not only create but convert chances in a clinical way. Defensively we weathered some moments when momentum wasn't in our favor and Canisius applied pressure. All in all, we were able to put together a complete performance. From start to finish, it was a great team win and a really rewarding way to officially begin non-conference play."
UP NEXT
The Raiders remain on the road Sunday, when they head to Kent State to take on the Golden Flashes at 1 p.m.
