The Colgate men’s soccer team suffered a tough loss this weekend to Lafayette, leaving them with a 5-9-1 overall record as they move forward to the last three games of their regular season. Despite the loss this weekend, the Raiders persevered throughout the game to keep it close.

On Saturday, October 21, the Raiders traveled to Easton, Pennsylvania to take on Lafayette College in what proved to be a tight match. On Lafayette’s first shot during the 12th minute, senior goalkeeper Peter Tappenden made a save to keep the score at 0-0. Colgate retaliated with two shots and a corner kick in the 19th minute of the game, but the Lafayette keeper managed to stop one of the attempts while the other was blocked by a defender. Colgate’s strong defense was able to hold Lafayette for the remainder of the half, not allowing them any shots on goal, while junior defender Aram Ouglian put the ball in the back of the net. Right before the halftime buzzer, junior forward Abdel Sanogo drew a foul just outside of the 18-yard box, and Ouglian was successful in chipping the free kick over the wall of Lafayette defenders and into the left-hand corner of the net to give the Raiders a 1-0 lead as they went into half-time.

The Lafayette Leopards began the second half with strength as they quickly were able to take a few shots on net in the opening minutes of the second half. Lafayette’s sophomore defenseman Diego Gomera-Tavarz took a shot on net during the 56th minute of the game, tying the match, and elevating the intensity. He fired a shot through the clustered Raider defense from about 30 yards out from the net, bouncing the ball off the inside of the left post and into the back of the net to even the score at 1-1. The Raiders managed to generate a few quality chances, but Lafayette scored the winning goal during the 77th minute of the game off a penalty kick by senior Christian Moyse. Colgate continued to put pressure on Lafayette, but was unsuccessful in finding the back of the net for a second goal. Lafayette clinched the 2-1 victory.

“It was a tough result to lose like that, but I think we need to be dialed in for the last three games and make sure we win out in order to make it to the Patriot League playoffs. The season comes down to these next three games for us,” Ouglian said.

“It is so important that we have a short memory and respond positively for the next contest. We have a very strong team with

talented, high-character young men who I know will be very well prepared mentally, physically and tactically for a tough road game at Holy Cross on Wednesday,” head coach Erik Ronning said.

Despite the Raider’s strong efforts, they were unable to hold off the Leopards, resulting in a 5-9-1 overall record and 2-3-1 Patriot League record. The Raiders moved forward with a positive attitude as they traveled to Holy Cross Wednesday, October 25. 

Contact Dana Monz at [email protected].