After a big week, the Colgate Men’s Soccer team has left with a tie and a victory in hand. Entering the week with a 3-1-1 record, the Raiders first faced the Binghamton Bearcats at the Bearcats Sports Complex in Vestal, NY. Goalie Jacob Harris was able to keep the team in the game by denying all three of Binghamton’s on goal shots. Com- ing back after half-time, junior Kentaro Morrison knew that the coming out of the second half victorious would be no easy feat.

“We started off slow and we struggled to get into a rhythm… and we struggled with their direct style,” Kentaro said.

However, he and his teammates took the field with a new attitude and were able to score the first goal of the game in the 50th minute. Freshman midfielder

Kian Alberto won a 50/50 ball at the midfield and sent a leading pass down- field to Morrison who placed a crisp shot on goal. The Raiders were able to maintain the lead into the 75th minute until the Bearcats came back to tie the score at 1-1. The teams dueled into double overtime, both ultimately coming up fruitless and ending in a draw. Coach Erik Ronning commended the team’s efforts.

“It was a difficult match… I am happy we were able to grind out a draw against a tough, determined Binghamton team. We worked very hard, but felt we had to find a way to win more battles in the trenches and take better care of the ball,” Ronning said.

The Binghamton game left the Raiders with a 3-1-2 record heading into their game against the Vermont Catamounts. With only a few days to prepare, on Sunday, they played at home on the Beyer-Small ‘76 Field. Although the Catamounts were able to claim the first goal of the game in the 12th minute, the Raiders answered back with two goals later on in the half. Senior Oliver Harris assisted the first goal to classmate Ryan Bellavance which tied the match at 1-1 in the 33rd minute. Only three minutes later, senior forward Uyi Omorogbe gave the Raiders their first lead of the game. The second half was fought to the bitter end, with goalie Jacob Harris contributing two key saves to maintain the Raiders lead through the final whistle.

Despite the victory, Ronning remains focused on the future as the Raiders look to continue their two-year title streak of Patriot League champions this season. Their title defense begins with their game versus Loyola on Friday.

“We need to be proud of tonight’s win, but we still have a lot to improve on and look forward to as a team. We have to continue to get better now as we get ready to open Patriot League play at the preseason favorite Loyola on Friday night,” he said.

Kentaro Morrison is looking forward to their next game as well.

“It’s great to go into Patriot League play with a win over a solid team and we’re excited to play Loyola,” he said.

The Raiders will travel to Baltimore, MD, this Friday to face Loyola in their first Patriot League game of the season. This will be the first league competition for the team since they hoisted the Patriot League Championship trophy back in November 2017.

Contact Isabel Van Wie at [email protected].