Sept. 28, 2013

(2-1-6, 0-1-0)     1 2 F  Lafayette 1 0 1  Colgate 0 1 2   Box Score (PDF) | Box Score (2-4-1)

HAMILTON, N.Y. – Evan Heroux’s header in the 56^th minute gave Colgate a 1-0 lead and the Raiders held on to defeat Lafayette in the Patriot League opener for both sides on Saturday night at Van Doren Field. The loss was Lafayette’s first of 2013.  

Each team had its share of opportunities in the opening 45 minutes but neither was able to find the back of the net before intermission. Lafayette’s (2-1-6, 0-1-0) top two chances came from Alec Golini and Ryan Egan, and goalkeeper Nathan McDonald made four saves to keep Colgate off the board. Golini’s chance stemmed from a free kick that ended up sailing high of the target, while Egan’s turnaround shot from straightaway and just outside the 18-yard box was handled by Colgate goalie Ricky Brown.

On the defensive end, McDonald was tested on several occasions, but kept the Raiders (2-7-0, 1-0-0) off the board. Each of Colgate’s four shots on goal came in the first 21 minutes of the half, including attempts by Ethan Kutler and Zach Pagani from inside the penalty area.

Ten minutes into the second half Colgate broke the ice when it advantage of a corner kick. Kutler sent the cross into the heart of the Leopards’ 18-yard box where it was redirected by Heroux past McDonald and into the back of the net.

Trailing 1-0, Lafayette began to assert itself offensively in the final 20 minutes. A long shot by Ryan Dodds missed wide before Andrew Gonzalez had a shot blocked a minute later. In the 76^th minute, Gonzalez fed Peter Adubato inside the Raiders’ 18-yard box but Brown made his biggest save of the night when he came off his line to knock away the low left-footed strike.

Three minutes after Brown’s save, McDonald made an impressive stop of his own to keep Lafayette within one. Kutler fired a shot toward the far post but the Leopards’ keeper dove to his right to knock it away from danger. McDonald notched six saves in the match.

With less than eight minutes to play, Adubato and Jeff McLaughlin executed a give-and-go play that set up Adubato with a chance, but his shot floated high above the crossbar. Adubato once again had a chance to level the score in the 87^th minute, but his header skidded just wide of the far post off Golini’s corner kick. 

Lafayette’s three corner kicks came in the final 10 minutes of the game, while Colgate finished with two. The Raiders held a 13-12 edge in shots and Brown tallied three saves in the shutout victory.

The Leopards return to the pitch next Saturday, Oct. 5, when they host Navy at Oaks Stadium. Kickoff against the Midshipmen is slated for noon.

Remember to `LIKE' Lafayette Athletics on Facebook and follow @GoLeopards on Twitter and Instagram. 

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