With the men’s lacrosse team securely in the Patriot League Tournament, some might have thought Coach Nagle’s squad would take the night off last Saturday at Bucknell. Those doubters would clearly be underestimating the heart, character and tanning abilities of the Raider lacrosse team. Under the blinding stadium lights, the Raiders took the game against the ninth-ranked Bison, placing them on the back foot throughout the contest to snatch an 11-9 victory.

Sophomore attacker Ian “Casper” Murphy was inspirational, as he spooked the Bucknell defense, furtively ghosting past his markers for a career high four goals. Sophomore goalie Tim “Ferris Bueller” Harrington was everywhere on Saturday, casually stopping 11 shots in the game, including four “epic” saves in the fourth quarter to secure the victory. Junior Brandon “Rolls Royce” Corp and sophomore Zach “the Enigma” Craumer were both on point, contributing two goals and an assist each. Kevin “The Lobster” Colleluori and Nick “The Popsicle” Monastero also added two goals a piece.

The game was a back and forth affair with both sides exchanging leads throughout the opening three quarters. Heading into the final frame, Colgate trailed 8-7. However, the team came together and put on one of their most impressive displays of the season, outscoring the Bison, 4-1 to lock down the lead. Out of the intermission, ‘Gate captain Matt “The Chin” Lalli dished off a pass to Murphy, who coolly dispatched the ostrich egg past the Bucknell keeper from 15 yards to tie the score. The Bison quickly responded off a Colgate turnover, but the Raiders were not to be denied on this special evening. Colgate pushed hard up the field, outmuscling the Bison to tie the score for the seventh time in the game. Next, Murphy secured his meteoric rise to cult status with a game-winning rip past the Bison goalie Nick Sciubba. With minutes remaining Harrington pulled off some improbable saves to keep the Bucknell surge at bay, while Corp capitalized on an empty net to score and rub salt in the wounds of the vanquished Bison.

The win not only destroyed Bucknell’s hopes of winning a Patriot League title, but it also drops them to the four-seed in the tourney. For Colgate, the win brings them to the third seed, a position that allows them to avoid playing one-seed Army in the first round. Colgate’s record now sits at a respectable 8-5 overall and 4-2 in the league. The Raiders now head to Army to battle a highly-regarded Navy squad at 7 p.m. on Michie Stadium in the Patriot League Tournament.