HAMILTON — The men's soccer team kicked off their 2023 campaign with a comfortable 2-0 victory over the visiting Siena Saints on Thursday night. Junior midfielder
Mason Pahule knocked in his first career goal and classmate
Alejandro Coury netted his first of the season to deliver the Raiders the 11th straight victory over their in-state foe.
"Our guys worked incredibly hard. Siena is a really strong team and our guys handled the situations very well," head coach Erik Ronning said. "We scored those two great goals early, and to start the game that way certainly set the tone. That goal from Mason gave us a lot of confidence."
A physical first half saw the Raider's precision passing translate to efficient offense, converting both goals from outside the box. Pahule opened the scoring in the seventh minute with a screamer that sneaked by the bottom left post, and Colgate doubled its advantage in the 38th minute with a deep strike from Coury. Sophomore midfielder Drew Stephans delivered the assist to Pahule with freshman defender
Connor Cates sending in the corner that was converted by Coury.
Cates, who made his first career start, was one of three freshmen to make their debut for the Raiders. Midfielders Jack Beerling and
Wade Johnson also logged 40 and 41 minutes, respectively.
Defensively, Colgate only allowed three shots on goal despite being outshot 12-4 throughout the game. Senior goalkeeper Andrew Cooke made three saves and thwarted another would-be header from Siena with an athletic interception of a corner kick in the 68th minute.
The Raiders return to Beyer-Small '76 Field on Friday, Sept. 1, to take on Binghamton after a trip to Marist this Sunday to take on the Red Foxes.
