Connection Outside the Lines

Ari Bezanson and Ellie Stokes are ready to bring Colgate women’s soccer to the next level. The senior captains are two of the Raiders’ top returning players. The duo led the attack last season, but they burst onto the scene together a year before. 

After sneaking into the Patriot League Tournament in 2023, Colgate faced off against Loyola on the road in the quarterfinals. The Raiders were on the wrong side of a 4-0 defeat during their trip to Baltimore earlier in the season. Bezanson and Stokes would not let that happen again. 

Stokes opened the scoring 37 minutes into the contest to give Colgate a 1-0 lead. Despite being outshot, they would remain one goal up until Bezanson sealed the match with just minutes to play. The game told Stokes that it would be her and Bezanson’s team moving forward.

They did not gel immediately. It took them about a year to hit a stride in their friendship. Since then, they’ve never failed to make each other laugh.

“Even off the field, sometimes we’ll just look at each other and giggle,” Stokes said. 

As their chemistry off the field developed, their connection on it also grew. Stokes led the Raiders with six assists last season. Five of them were on goals scored by Bezanson. Earlier in preseason, Stokes’ head was down while she was carrying the ball. After hearing Bezanson’s voice, she knew exactly where her teammate would be.

“I just heard her voice,” Stokes said. “I passed the ball, and she was there.”

This special level of trust and understanding has been developed through the substantial amount of minutes the two have played together. They know that they'll be in the right spot and make the right plays more often than not. 

“I know [Stokes is] going to beat her defender,” Bezanson said. “If she were to lose it, I know she’s going to get back and get that ball.” 

Both players are hoping to improve upon impressive junior seasons. Bezanson was named first-team all-league, and led Colgate with 14 goals. Stokes was named second-team all-league. While the ultimate goal is to help bring the team as far as possible, they have individual milestones on their minds as well. 

“I know there’s an all-time scoring list which has been on my eye,” Bezanson said.

Bezanson, who scored 14 goals last season, also has the school single-season goal record on her radar. Kate Barrett’s 18 goals have stood alone in the record books since 2003.

“It seems within reach,” she said.

While Bezanson looks to cement herself as one of the greatest goalscorers in school history, Stokes has her sights set on being recognized as one of the top forwards in the Patriot League. While she was near the top of the league in assists, she’s been working to score more goals after scoring just three last season.

“I touch and touch, waiting for the perfect shot instead of just hitting the ball,” she said. “Getting more goals under my plate, that’s one of the things I’m working on.” 

Bezanson and Stokes constantly want to get better. Every day, they push each other to work harder and become more complete players.

“Having her to play with too -  not as competition, but as someone to look up to and see how hard she’s worked - and I’m like, ‘ok, I have to work hard,’” Stokes said. “And I know me working hard pushes her to work harder too.” 

While they help each other improve on the field, they also help each other become better leaders. Stokes has a one-on-one communication style, while Bezanson takes a group approach. 

It makes sense considering their positions. As a winger, Stokes is in one-on-one scenarios against defenders, while Bezanson is in the middle of the action as a midfielder. 

“I think we balance each other off and coincide with each other on the offensive line,” Bezanson said. “Helping the midfielders collaborate and work with the offensive line so we can be more on the same page.”

Through three games this season, the Raiders have found offensive success without their stars showing up on the score sheet. Bezanson and Stokes are still involved in the action. Notably, they still jump up and down after their teammates score.

Even with all the personal glory on the line, all they want to do is win.