HAMILTON — Three Colgate players scored their first career goals in a 3-1 win over Stonehill Thursday evening.
Liam Winograd, Conor Geraghty, and Cason Stafford all found the back of the net for the first time.
"Although a little sluggish at the start, we began the second half on the front foot and were rewarded. Two really high-quality goals by Connor and Cason," said head coach Erik Ronning.
"We managed the game really well after that and earned an important win. It is now on to our preparation for a very good Fordham team."
Winograd scored in the 29th minute to give the Raiders a 1-0 lead. Following a short corner, Blake Pipkin served a cross into the box that took a bounce. Winograd then placed his header into the bottom left corner. The assist marked Pipkin's first career point.
Stonehill equalized in the 42nd minute when Tiago Lima-Bittencour found the back of the net off a pass from Julius Maiwaldt.
The Raiders struck quickly in the second. Ethan Harris found the head of Geraghty, who placed it in the top left corner to make it 2-1 Raiders at the 50:42 mark.
Nine minutes later, Stafford scored to push Colgate's advantage to two. Jacob Blackwin played a through ball into the box that Stafford just got his foot on and flicked over the goalie after he came off his line.
Colgate had a flurry of chances in the 56th minute following a corner kick. Toby Goldner fired a shot that got saved. Jack Beerling tried to follow the rebound but got blocked. Goldener then tried another that got saved and a follow-up that went off target.
Stonehill also had two good opportunities later in the game. In the 61st minute, Ethan Sullivan took a shot aimed toward the bottom right side of the goal that Oliver Townend stopped. With nine minutes remaining, Townend made a beautiful diving save on a header attempt, floating toward the top left corner.
In the first, Aidan Wright had a chance in the 16th minute when he ripped one from inside the box, forcing the Skyhawks' goalkeeper to make a diving save. Stafford also had a shot in the 22nd minute that he put off target.
UP NEXT
The Raiders play their first of back-to-back road games on Sunday. Colgate heads to The Bronx, N.Y., to face Fordham at 1 p.m.
