HAMILTON - Ari Bezanson scored the equalizing goal with under ten minutes left as the Raiders drew Loyola on Saturday afternoon at Beyer-Small '76 Field.
Bezanson now sits on nine goals this season and a team high 19 points.
COACH HOKANSON'S COMMENTS
"We know every game in the league is going to be tough and present new challenges. I felt Loyola provided us some different obstacles and overall was proud of the way that the team responded to some of those challenges. I thought we did a good job of staying true to our identity as we searched for the equalizer and it ultimately paid off. Loyola is a quality team and makes it very hard to play and we still found a lot of positive moments despite their organization and pressure. Every point matters in the league so we are happy to have been able to find a way to level the game. Look forward to another full week to prepare for our next game on the road against a tough American team."
HOW IT HAPPENED
After Loyola was able to convert a corner kick in the 77th minute to take a 1-0 lead, Ellie Stokes slid the ball inside to Ari Bezanson who cleverly flicked the ball past her defender and curled the call into the top left corner. The equalizer was Bezanson's ninth goal of the season.
In the 64th minute Alli Popham made two consecutive saves on Loyola corner kicks. The first coming from a bouncing ball heading towards the bottom right parried away for a second corner kick. The second save was a full stretch save for Popham to keep the Raiders level, 0-0.
Early in the second half, Ari Bezanson found a pocket of space about 20 yards away from the net, firing towards the bottom right corner. The Greyhounds keeper made a stretching save to give the Raiders a corner kick.
The first 15 minutes of the match were primarily played between the opposing midfields with little of note going forward for either side.
Loyola's first chance of the game came on a free kick just 20 yards away but it sailed high.
Colgate got its first look on a free kick 20 yards away. Sophie Wand put in a curling effort but it was deflected to the Loyola goalkeeper.
The Greyhounds had the first shot on target 33 minutes into the match. The long range effort was easily handled by Ella Poppinga.
With under five minutes left in the half the Raiders created their best opportunity of the first 45 minutes. Bianca Howitt received the ball on the left side of the 18 yard box, cut inside on her right foot and curled a shot heading for the top right corner. The Loyola goalkeeper made an acrobatic save keeping the score level at zero.
The cagey first frame finished with each team only managing to manufacture one shot on target.
Alli Popham started the second half in between the sticks after Poppinga made one save in the first 45 minutes.
UP NEXT
Colgate (3-8-2, 1-2-1) heads to the nation's capital to take on American on Saturday, Oct. 12. Kickoff is scheduled for 1 p.m.
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