Raiders Open Patriot League Play
Five-Set Loss Stings as Raiders Can’t Quite Rally from 2-0 Deficit
By John Painter
(Worcester, Mass – Sept. 26, 2014) Colgate for the first time this season dropped a five-set match when Holy Cross held on for a 3-2 decision Friday night.
The Crusaders won 25-19, 25-22, 20-25, 23-25, 15-10.
Colgate dropped the first two sets but rallied to tie the match at 2-2 and appeared to have all the momentum heading into the deciding frame. But after a quick 1-0 advantage for the visitors in that final set, Holy Cross took charge and never trailed.
The game was the Patriot League opener for Colgate, which dropped to 6-5 for the season. Holy Cross improved to 2-2 in conference play and 3-10 overall.
Colgate entered the evening 2-0 in five-set matches this season, having defeated Niagara on opening day and rallying from 2-0 down to topple Syracuse last Saturday.
Bottom Line
• Holy Cross 3, Colgate 2 (25-19, 25-22, 20-25, 23-25, 15-10).
Won-Lost Records
• Colgate is now 6-5 overall and 0-1 in Patriot League play.
• Holy Cross improved to 3-10 and 2-2.
Set Breakdowns
• Colgate in the opening set fell behind 6-2, forcing the first of head coach Ryan Baker’s timeouts. Baker’s words worked, as the Raiders scored four straight and eventually broke into leads of 9-8 and 12-11. But Holy Cross used a 6-0 run to regain command and coasted to a 25-19 decision.
• The Raiders grabbed a 2-1 lead for the second straight set but then went ice cold. Holy Cross opened leads of 5-2, 12-4 and then 19-5. It was 22-8 Crusaders when Colgate scored eight straight points before a service error ended the run. The Raiders facing game point scored six more in a row but it wasn’t enough as Holy Cross held on, 25-22.
• After the intermission, things were tight early in the third set. Holy Cross grabbed leads of 12-9, 14-12 and 17-14, but Colgate wouldn’t go away. Three consecutive kills by Brooke Shupryt-Knoop lifted the Raiders in front, 18-17. Holy Cross flip-flopped ahead but then Colgate reeled off six straight points for a 25-20 win.
• The fourth set was close throughout. Colgate led 11-8 and then 16-11 before Holy Cross rallied. The Raiders were on top 21-20 when Mari Faines and Kenzie Hume teamed on a terrific block for a two-point Colgate advantage. The teams traded points the rest of the way as Colgate drew even, 25-23.
• Colgate jumped in front 1-0 on a Crusaders service error, and the opening points were filled with mistakes. But Holy Cross gradually took command with a 9-5 advantage. The Raiders rallied to within 11-10, forcing a Crusaders timeout. Colgate came no closer, however, as Holy Cross scored the match’s final four points for a 15-10 closing victory.
More Key Info
• Colgate was at its best statistically in Sets 3 and 4. The Raiders posted team attack percentages of .378 and .310, respectively, but finished the game at just .188. Holy Cross posted .241, including a .471 percentage in the crucial fifth set.
• Shupryt-Knoop led the team individually with a .432 attack percentage and 19 kills.
• Kathleen Harris added 11 kills, 11 digs and three service aces. The Raiders as a team had seven service aces.
• Molly Smith posted 29 assists, seven digs and two service aces, while Jackie Macy chipped in 22 assists and seven digs.
• Elena Simpson was the team leader with 14 digs, while Madison McAndrews posted 10.
• Faines had a .235 attack percentage and four block assists. Hume finished with six block assists.
Turning Point
• It looked to be late in the second set, when Colgate rallied from a 22-8 deficit to pull within 24-22. The Raiders lost that set but used the momentum gained to win the next pair of sets and draw level at two apiece.
• Holy Cross, however, called a late timeout after Colgate had pulled within 11-10 in the final set. The Crusaders regrouped for one final charge and scored the game’s final four points to win the match.
Gate Grab Bag
• Holy Cross snapped a four-match losing streak to Colgate, which still leads the all-time series by a 43-6 count.
Up Next
• Colgate continues its opening Patriot League weekend road trip with a visit to Army. The Black Knights were idle Friday night and enter Saturday’s match with a 5-10 overall mark, 1-2 in the Patriot League.
Special Raiders Blank Georgetown, 19-0
Steffen Blocks Two Punts; Defense Records First Shutout Since 2005
By John Painter
(Hamilton, NY – Sept. 27, 2014) Special teams, anyone?
Colgate turned one of Dan Hunt’s key talking points into actual on-the-field points Saturday, blocking two punts and swarming past Georgetown in a 19-0 whitewash.
Victor Steffen stormed right up the middle and blocked both punts, one of which sailed back through the uprights for a safety. The other was returned 10 yards by Pat Afriyie for a touchdown as Colgate scored twice in the final 5:11 of the first half to take command.
Add Jonah Bowman’s ninth straight successful field goal and Raider special teams accounted for 12 of the 19 points. Jake Melville’s 38-yard TD run added to the beautiful afternoon on Crown Field at Andy KerrStadium.
The shutout was Colgate’s first since a 23-0 home win over Fordham in 2005.
Bottom Line
• Colgate 19, Georgetown 0
Won-Lost Records
• Colgate evened its record at 2-2 overall and started Patriot League play with a win.
• Georgetown dropped to 2-3 overall and 0-1 in conference.
Facts & Figures
• Steffen’s performance covered both the special teams and defensive stat sheets. In addition to his two blocked punts, the junior led the Raiders with three tackles for loss. Those plays accounted for minus-22 yards, including a 17-yard sack.
• Colgate outgained Georgetown 349-163. The Raider offensive numbers showed 319 rushing yards and 30 through the air, while the Hoyas passed for 128 and rushed for 35.
• Colgate sacked Georgetown quarterback Kyle Nolan five times for minus-48 yards. The Raiders finished with nine total tackles behind the line of scrimmage for minus-74 yards.
• In addition to Steffen, other Colgate sacks went to Afriyie (minus-6), Kris Kent (minus-14), Kyle Diener (minus-10) and Chris Morgan (minus-1).
• The Raiders had six pass breakups. Adam Bridgeforth and Joe Figueroa posted two apiece, while Diener and Charles Cairnie added singles. Mike Armiento chipped in with a fumble recovery.
• Demetrius Russell and James Holland rushed 12 times apiece, with Russell finishing with 81 net yards and Holland 79.
• Scoring chances were scarce. Georgetown never reached the red zone, and Colgate was 1-of-1. The Raiders didn’t reach the red zone until their opening drive of the fourth quarter, resulting in Bowman’s 31-yard field goal.
More Key Info
• Colgate outgained Georgetown 349-163. The Raider offensive numbers showed 319 rushing yards and 30 through the air, while the Hoyas passed for 128 and rushed for 35.
• Georgetown’s defense was as stingy as advertised. The Hoyas entered first in the Patriot League and 10th nationally having allowed just 13.5 points per game. Colgate’s offense scored just 10 points in the game.
• Georgetown defensive end Alec May and punter Harry McCollum both garnered national player of the week honors last Saturday from the College Football Performance Awards. This week, May finished with eight tackles, a sack and a forced a fumble. McCollum had the two punts blocked but still averaged 40.6 yards per boot.
• Nikko Armiento averaged 41.4 yards per punt, including a long of 49.
Turning Point
• Colgate scored twice in the final 5:11 before halftime.
• Steffen blocked his second punt of the game, again on a middle rush that overpowered the up-back.
• The ball bounced straight into the arms of Afriyie, who waltzed untouched into the end zone for his first career touchdown.
• After Colgate’s defense forced a Georgetown 3-and-out, the Raiders took over at their own 33 with 3:48 showing.
• Facing third-and-15 at the Hoyas 38-yard line, Melville decided at the last second to keep on an optionread and raced 38 yards for the touchdown with 40 seconds to play before the break.
Records Watch
• Melville posted his third straight 100-yard rushing game. The sophomore finished with a career-high 128 yards, and his 14 carries matched his career best.
• Melville also threw his first interception of the season after 74 consecutive pass attempts without a pick. That streak dated to the fourth quarter of last year’s season finale against Fordham, and included his first 70 attempts of this year.
• Georgetown’s Garrett Powers made the interception at the Hoya 9-yard line midway in the first quarter. The play was on third-and-13 from the Georgetown 31.
• Colgate’s nine penalties for 93 yards were both season highs. Coming in, the Raiders led the Patriot League in fewest penalties (3.7 per game) and were second in penalty yards (38.7).
From the Source
• Colgate head coach Dan Hunt: (On special teams) “Yeah, it’s really nice to see that pay off. We’ve put a lot of work into them from the spring. We said that was something that could change a game, and sure enough that’s what happened.
“Coach Ryan Knowles does a great job with it and the kids – when we practice special teams, they work hard. They attack them with energy, and you’re seeing that when one person makes a play, everyonewants in on the action.
“We blocked two punts and our kickoff team is doing a really nice job, plus we’ve still yet to miss (knock, knock) a scoring kick of any kind. Put all of that together and it’s a perfect lesson in what that phase can contribute to a win.”
(On the defense) “It’s great to see the defense playing with confidence. After we blocked that punt for the safety, the defense told the offense that they had enough points – and it was only 2-0. They are starting to understand that they can be the dominant unit here.
“On both special teams and defense, today’s a perfect example that if you buy in, you get a reward.”
(On the offense) “We just couldn’t get into a rhythm. But I told them that if you look up on the scoreboard and you’ve got 320 rush yards, chances are you’re going to win. That was a good defense we were playing against and we knew they were good. Obviously, we want to get better there and we will.”
(On Saturday’s significance) “The games are getting more important and the kids are starting to understand that we are a good football team.”
• Colgate defensive lineman Victor Steffen: (On his blocked punts) “They were giving us the look we saw all week on film. We knew they were going to take the up-back and try to block me in the A-gaps, andCoach Knowles told me that I was 100 pounds heavier and to inflict my will. That’s what I did.
“(On the team’s five sacks) “That’s a testament to all 11 guys on defense. Everyone has to work together to get one guy free, and we were able to spread the love a little bit.”
• Colgate offensive lineman Jordi Dalmau: (On the running game) “We had a good day; I’m happy. A win’s a win. We dominated, but we could do a lot better. Each week, we’re definitely trying to get better.”
• Colgate quarterback Jake Melville: (On the offense) “Again, our offensive line was dominating. We were running the ball at will – all of our running plays were working. And our defense played a great game. That’s what makes a nice team win.
(On his touchdown) “We had a little read (option) going on and the running back drew the outside linebacker with him. The line gave me the edge and I had just one guy to beat to the end zone. Our wide receivers blocking downfield, that’s all I can ask for.
(On knowing when to keep the football) “Honestly, running it every day in practice, you start to get a feel for when to pull it and when to give it. As a running back and quarterback, we’re starting to figure that out.”
• Colgate linebacker Vinny Russo: (On the defense) “We’ve made it a point this year not to depend on offense to win – that we’re going to win the game, and this is great. We’ve been striving and it was a goal this week to not let them score. We’re very excited.”
(On the sacks) “We made some great calls and Coach Hunt always talks about points in the game where the game’s in doubt and you need to make a play. We had a few of those today, specifically with the sacks, and that’s huge.”
Gate Grab Bag
• Saturday’s crowd of 4,199 enjoyed a beautiful fall afternoon in Hamilton. Temperature for the noonkickoff was 70 degrees.
Up Next
• Colgate plays the third of its four straight home games when Holy Cross visits for a Patriot League showdown. Kickoff is 1 p.m., with Campus Insiders providing the online streaming coverage.
Overtime Header Lifts Raiders, 1-0
Williams Scores Game-Winner at Loyola; Colgate Maintains Eight-Game Unbeaten Streak
By Kat Castner
(Baltimore, Md – Sept. 27, 2014) Catherine Williams of Colgate women’s soccer tallied the game-winning goal Saturday afternoon to lift the Raiders 1-0 in overtime.
The golden goal came a mere two minutes and 43 seconds into extra time, extending the Raiders unbeaten streak to eight games. During that stretch Colgate is also riding a six-game winning streak.
Junior Jenna Raepple started the final Raider attack by carrying the ball across the middle of the field. She looked up toward goal finding the foot of Williams, who played a brilliant through-ball in between the Loyola defense to Caroline Brawner.
The senior captain then riffled a shot on goal that Loyola keeper Colleen Folan stopped on a brilliant kick save. Fortunately for Colgate, Williams continued her run and reacted to the rebounded shot with her head firing it into the net for the game-winner.
After an even opening 45 minutes, Colgate seemed to take over the game in the second half. The Raiders posted a game-high seven shots during that half and doubled the Greyhounds’ shots total with 10.
Erin Cummings posted her first season shutout, earning two saves in the game. One of those stops was a goal-saver in the 71st minute as she stuffed Loyola’s Jessica Van Dyke. The Greyhounds attacker found herself 1-on-1 with Cummings, but the junior came diving out to make the grab.
Colgate is back in action Wednesday when it hosts its first home conference game of the season against Army. The game will be televised live on Time Warner Cable Sports Channel beginning at 7 p.m. on Beyer-Small ’76 Field.
Bottom Line
• Colgate 1, Loyola 0 — OT
Won-Lost Records
• Colgate improves to 7-1-1 overall, 2-0 in conference.
• Loyola falls to 4-5-1 overall, 0-1-1 in conference.
Key Raider Info
• Williams notched her second goal and first game-winner of the season.
• Brawner was awarded an assist on the play giving her two on the year.
• Cummings registered her first shutout of the season, while making two stops.
Facts & Figures
• Colgate held the advantage on the stats sheet, compiling 10 shots to Loyola’s 5.
• The Raiders also held the edge on corner kicks at 7-1.
• Loyola made four saves, while the Raiders recorded two.
• Neither team was awarded a card in the game.
• Jenna Panepinto led the Raiders with three shots.
• Seven other Colgate players added one shot apiece.
• Loyola saw five different players tally a shot in the contest
Overtime Goal
• Raepple started the game-winning attack by dribbling into the center of the field with the ball. She then found Williams at the top of the box, where the junior slotted a through-ball to a running Brawner. The captain took one touch before shooting a hard-driven ball inside the box. Loyola’s keeper, Folan, made a brilliant kick save, keeping the game alive. But not for long as Williams jumped up to redirect the lose ball with her head into the back of the net.
– The game-winner came 92:43 into the game.
Unbeaten Streak Continues
• The Raiders have not dropped a contest since their Aug. 22 season opener when they lost to then No. 19-ranked Boston College.
• Colgate is also riding a six-game winning streaking, beginning with a 3-1 victory over Vermont on Sept. 5.
Straight From The Source
• Head Coach Kathy Brawn: (On her team’s performance) “That certainly was a hard-fought victory. Erin Cumming’s big save re-energized our team.
“Catherine’s great follow on Caroline Brawner’s initial shot was so well placed.
“We are happy to earn the win and are looking forward to returning home to Beyer-Small ’76 Field for the next few games.”
Up Next
• The Raiders next match up is with Army on Wednesday at 7 p.m.
• The Black Knights are coming off a 1-1 double overtime draw with Boston U. and currently sit 1-0-1 in league play.
• The game will be televised live on Time Warner Cable Sports Channel.
• The game is set for Beyer-Small ’76 Field.
• Live stats and video available at the start of the game.
Raiders Win Thriller At Lafayette, 2-1
Kutler, Pagani Net Markers In Double Overtime Victory
By Kat Castner
(Easton, Pa. – Sept. 27, 2014) Colgate men’s soccer won a 2-1 double-overtime thriller at Lafayette on Saturday after sophomore Zach Pagani netted the game-winner.
Pagani’s first goal this season was a big one as it lifted the Raiders to victory in the 103rd minute. Fellow classmate Ethan Kutler also continued his three-game scoring stretch with the equalizer in the 73rd minute after the Leopards had taken a first-half lead.
Lafayette took the 1-0 edge at the 26:57 mark following a scrum in front of Colgate’s net.
Colgate would not back down, however, as it watched the nation’s second leading goal scorer, Kutler, tally his 10th goal. The play started after Pagani dribbled down the center of the field with the ball. The Ann Arbor, Michigan, native then found Kutler just inside the 18-yard box on the left side of the field. Kutler took a few touches toward net before firing a low-driven shot to the opposite corner of the goal to knot the score at 1-all.
Neither team was able to score the go-ahead marker in regulation, forcing the match into extra time.
It wasn’t until the second overtime period that a team found the back of the net and it fortunately came from the foot of a Raider. Kutler sparked a 2-on-1 just outside the top of the box after collecting a bouncing ball. The Lansing, New York, native then slotted the ball over to Pagani on the left wing, where he place it just out of the reach of Lafayette’s keeper, Sandy Leavy, for the game-winner.
With the win, Colgate has now taken nine of the last 11 meetings in this series, dating back to 2006.
Colgate goalie Ricky Brown made three stops in the game, including a point-blank save 30 minutes in to keep it a one-goal game at that time.
The Raiders next face nearby rival Syracuse on the road Tuesday at 7 p.m. The game will be televised live on ESPN3 and Time Warner Cable Sports Channel.
Bottom Line
• Colgate 2, Lafayette 1
Won-Lost Records
• Colgate improves to 4-3-1 overall and 1-0-0 in conference play
• Siena falls to 3-4-2 overall and 0-1-0 in conference play
Key Raider Info
• Pagani scored the game-winning goal at the 103:35 mark in double-overtime.
• Kutler added an assist on the game-winner as well as the equalizing goal in the 73rd minute.
• Ricky Brown earned the win between the pipes for Colgate, taking his season record to 4-3-1.
Facts & Figures
• The Leopards held the edge on shots at 16-8, and on corner kicks at 4-1.
• Colgate posted three saves to Lafayette’s one.
• The Raiders were issued one yellow card in the contest.
• Kutler led the Raiders with three shots, two of which were on frame.
• Pagani and senior captain Tanner Schilling added two apiece as well for Colgate.
• The Leopards’ lone goal came 26:57 into the first half and was scored by Ryan Egan.
Game-Winner
• Pagani’s goal happened after Kutler fed him the ball inside the box.
– Kutler corralled the ball at the top of the box and took a touch before finding the foot of Pagani on the left wing. The sophomore then slotted the ball into the opposite corner of the net for the game-winner.
– The goal came at the 103:35 mark.
A Look at the Other Goals
• Lafayette took the 1-0 advantage 26 minutes into the game.
– Following a corner kick, the Raiders were unable to clear the ball far enough away from danger as Egan fired a shot from just outside the box past the outstretched arm of Brown.
• The Raiders registered a few chances in the final minutes of the first half but it wasn’t until the 73rd minute that they broke through.
– The nation’s second leading goal scorer showcased his abilities again by netting his 10th season goal. Pagani found Kutler on the left side of the field in the box. Kutler took a touch to collect the ball before shooting a hard-driven shot to the opposite corner of the goal for the equalizer.
Overtime Games
• The Raiders are now 2-1-1 on the season when it comes to games being decided in extra time.
• Colgate also defeated Saint Mary’s (Calif.) in their home and stadium opener back on Aug. 29 when Kutler netted a penalty kick game-winner in double overtime.
• The two other games the Raiders needed overtime with were Niagara (L, 2-1 OT) and Albany (T, 1-1 Double OT).
Records Watch
• Kutler now has 10 goals on the season for 21 points.
• The sophomore is now 12th in Colgate’s records book for season goals with 10.
• Kutler is one point shy of breaking into the Colgate records book for season points.
Three-Game Winning Streak
• The Raiders are currently on a three-game winning streak.
• Colgate also posted 3-1 wins against Fairleigh Dickinson and Siena during that stretch.
Straight From The Source
• Head Coach Erik Ronning: (On his team’s performance Saturday) “Great result against a very strong Lafayette team.”
“They took it to us in the first half, as we were a bit sluggish. As the game progressed, our level rose and we gained some momentum. We were not at our best today, but the players deserve all the credit for grinding this one out.”
Up Next
• The Raiders are back on the pitch Tuesday when they travel to nearby rival Syracuse for a game with the Orange.
• The Orange are currently 7-1 on the season and sit with a conference record of 1-1.
• The game is set for the SU Soccer Stadium at 7 p.m.
• Live stats and video available at the start of the game.