On Saturday, September 23, the Colgate women’s soccer team had their second Patriot League win against Army West Point. With this win, they are now coming off an impressive four-game winning streak.

On Saturday, the Raiders headed into their game coming off their first Patriot League win against Loyola, who they crushed 3-1. However, they proved that they would not get ahead of themselves as they all focused on putting away another win. Within the first couple minutes, sophomore forward Abby Sotomayer was given a penalty kick after a foul in Army’s box. Sotomayer faked and sent Army’s first-year goalkeeper Sydney Cassalia flying left as she drilled the ball straight past her. Sotomayor celebrated her third goal of the season with her teammates. Army’s chances of getting an equalizer looked increasingly slim as Colgate carried this 1-0 score through the rest of the game. 

Colgate’s sophomore goalkeeper Kelly Chiavaro had an outstanding performance. She ended up having a shutout that kept Army’s five shots at bay, including a key save that was able to ensure Colgate’s victory while Army scrambled to climb their way back with a vengeance in the final minutes of the game.

“I think getting shutouts is something the entire team contributes to because it takes the effort of every single player to ensure that we don’t get scored on. Not only did the defense do an amazing job keeping the ball away from the goal but the midfielder’s often dropped back to help us when Army came at us with multiple players. Shutouts are definitely something to be proud of and I know many more will come,” Chiavaro said.

Chiavaro’s statement will be put to the test as they face their next opponent, Lehigh.

“Lehigh is on their own five game winning streak. We always put together a great game against Lehigh, so we are all looking forward to Wednesday,” sophomore defender Dominique DeMarco said. DeMarco got two shots off during the Army game.

First-year forward Ellis Miller had three shots, and senior forward Emily Chrichlow had two shots. Altogether, Colgate outshot Army 11-5, proving their dominance on the defensive end, in particular. 

“Our defenders are always looking out for each other, making sure everyone has their marks and making sure to communicate with Kelly in goal,” DeMarco added.

Having won five out of their last six games, the Colgate women’s soccer team will definitely have the motivation and hunger to win more and more as their season progresses. The Raiders hope to translate this into more victories as they head into all of their crucial upcoming Patriot League games within the next few weeks. As it stands, the team’s overall record is 5-4-0, and their Patriot League record is 2-0-0.

“It’s great to get the 2-0 start in league play. Army came out with a fantastic game plan and we had to earn every little bit that we got. We got a little flustered in the second half, but we bent and didn’t break. It was nice to see the team find a way to win a game like this that wasn’t at all easy,” head coach Kathy Brawn said.

After traveling to Bethlehem, P.A. to face off against Patriot League rival Lehigh University on Wednesday, the Raiders will be back on the road this weekend to play yet another Patriot League game against American University in Washington, D.C. this Saturday.

Contact Lindsey West at [email protected].