On Sunday, the Colgate women’s soccer team pulled out another victory, this time over Columbia in double overtime. The Lions, who were last year’s Eastern College Athletic Conference champions, came into the match with the same 4-3-1 record as the Raiders.

With a goal in the waning minutes of the second overtime, the Raiders beat Columbia, 3-2. The winning shot came from the foot of junior Jackie Burch, who nailed the ball home following a rebound that bounced off of the Columbia goalie. The first goal of the game was scored by Columbia forward Lindsey Knowles after the teams played to a scoreless first half. The Raiders stormed back to take a 2-1 lead, however, after goals by first-year Josie Johnson and sophomore Franny Iacuzzi. Columbia tied the score again a few minutes later with a goal that led the two teams into overtime, in which Burch scored her game-winner.

The Raiders defense was led yet again by the strong play of senior goalkeeper Luisa Miller. She made 10 saves in the win, a season high, and was named the Patriot League BRINE Defensive Player of the Week for the second time in three weeks. The honor was in recognition for both the 10 saves against Columbia and for her double overtime shutout of Syracuse last Wednesday.

Colgate’s 5-3-1 record puts them in good position as the team opens its Patriot League season tomorrow against Bucknell. The Raiders won the Patriot League Championship last season and were picked in the preseason coaches’ poll to win it again this year.

“I am looking forward to the season a lot,” head coach Kathy Brawn said. “The league is excellent this year; probably the best it has been in years. Defending our league title is going to be much more challenging, but our players are definitely up to the challenge.”

Bucknell comes in riding a five-game unbeaten streak, including a victory over ninth-ranked Cornell in its last contest. The Bison have a record of 6-4 on the season after starting the season 1-4.

“We’re going to do our best against Bucknell, but it is going to be a big test,” Brawn said. “They are a good team and it’s a great match-up. Bucknell beat Cornell in its last game, for its first loss of the year. So they are coming off a great win and we have a Saturday night game during homecoming. The stage is set for a great game.”

On the injury front, Colgate received some good news for the first time this season as senior midfielder Carolyn Warhaftig and sophomore defender Kathleen Head both returned from injuries that occurred in the game against Columbia. Also, sophomore defender Marissa Akason broke her nose on Sunday, but will still be able to play in the Bucknell game.

The Raiders face off with the Bison tomorrow at Van Doren Field, with kickoff set for 7 p.m. Prior to the game, the team will receive rings commemorating Colgate’s 2004 Patriot League Championship. Brawn hopes that will be incentive for fans to come out and see the team in action.

“The more fans we get the better,” Brawn said. “Teams have said that [Colgate] is a hard place to come and play because the fans come out and are vocal. I really want that to pick up again for the league games because it helps our team a lot.”