ANNAPOLIS, Md. - Ari Bezanson scored her team leading eighth goal just four minutes into the match as the Raiders defeated Navy 3-0 on Saturday afternoon in Annapolis, Md.

Bezanson now surpasses her seven goals scored in last season and leads the Raiders with 17 points on the season.

This is Colgate's second clean sheet of the season. Alli Popham and Ella Poppinga each played a half and prevented the Navy offense from finding the back of the net.

COACH HOKANSON'S COMMENTS

"Proud to come away with a win on the road against a tough Navy team. I was especially pleased with the way we started the game, and how we performed on both sides of the ball through the first 45. They made some adjustments at halftime that changed the dynamic of the game a bit at the start of the second half, which made getting the third goal really important. Feels great for the group to get a shutout, our backs and GKs worked hard to earn that today. Big three points on the road to finish a very challenging three game swing in the league. We look forward to regrouping and preparing this next week to come back home for our alumni game."

HOW IT HAPPENED

Ari Bezanson got the Raiders going early with a left footed strike from just outside the 18-yard box. Bezanson picked up the ball in the midfield, cut inside and put Colgate in front 1-0 just four minutes into the game.

Paige Foa looked to have doubled the Raiders lead just two minutes later but her tally was wiped off due to an offside flag.

In the 22nd minute, Demi Maroudas sliced by her defender and ripped a shot on her left foot that was blocked back to her, on the second effort she did not get perfect contact and the Navy goalkeeper was able to smother it.

28 minutes into the match, Colgate doubled its lead with a long range effort from Ellie Stokes finding the top right corner. Stokes cut inside to her foot and fired a belter that flew past the Navy goalkeeper putting the Raiders up 2-0.

Colgate kept Navy quiet in the first half allowing just one shot on goal in the first 45 minutes.

The Raiders started the second half on the front foot as Bezanson picked up the ball around the halfway line, dribbled through two defenders and slid a perfectly timed pass into the path of Foa. Foa was able to look up and blast the ball into the top of the net giving the Raiders a 3-0 lead.

Alli Popham made a comfortable but tricky save in the 58th minute after a Navy corner kick was clipped back towards the netmouth, Popham used her right paw to tip it over the crossbar.

The Raiders defense was the star of the game holding the Navy attack to just two shots on target all afternoon. Ella Poppinga and Alli Popham combined for the win and clean sheet.

UP NEXT
Colgate (3-8-1, 1-2) returns home to host Loyola on Saturday, Oct. 5. Kickoff is set for 12 p.m. and this game will be Alumni Weekend of Colgate.