Women’s Soccer Records First-Ever Win in SEC Play

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First-year forward Abby Sotomayor tallied the winning goal for the Raiders against LSU. 

The Colgate Women’s soccer team has something to prove this season. The team’s performance seems to be setting the Raiders up for a successful season.

The Raider’s season opened against fellow New York rivals, Syracuse University.  Just 45 seconds after the starting whistle, the Orange scored off a rebounded shot. Colgate relentlessly pressured their opponents and on the second of two back-to-back corner kicks, Colgate’s first-year forward Mara Consentino one-touched a rebound into the back of the net to tie the game, 1-1 and eventually send the season opener into overtime.  In the 98th minute, Syracuse had a free kick that was sent into the Colgate defense bringing the game to a second overtime. Senior forward Sarah Coy had a strong attempt with a free kick in the final few seconds, but the game ended in a draw. 

Although the Raiders didn’t get the win they had hoped for, senior defensive back Emily Pullen mentioned her satisfaction with the overall effort.

“[I’m] really happy with the effort tonight,” Pullen said. “[There was] great chemistry.”  

Colgate’s second game of the season also ended in a double overtime tie against New Hampshire. The Raiders controlled possession for the majority of the game; however, in the 40th minute New Hampshire scored off a beautiful through ball to put them ahead of the Raiders.  In the opening of the second half, Colgate came out strong with sophomore midfielder Martina Loncar and Coy totaling three shots on goal. However, they were saved by the New Hampshire goalie.  The equalizer came when senior defender Sophi Lederer sent a pass to first-year forward Abby Sotomayor who finished the play to score her first collegiate career goal. Also noteworthy was rookie goalie Kelly Chiavaro’s eight saves. 

“We were able to play really well defensively and just have to finish. There was a lot to build on and the team has been doing really well so far,” Chiavaro said. 

The Raiders first win came this past Sunday against LSU down in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, which marks Colgate’s first win against an SEC team. Junior midfielder Eliza Doll scored the teams first goal of the game while Sotomayer clinched the 2-1 win in the 74th minute. 

“What a fantastic victory. This was a great team effort. We knew LSU would be an excellent side and I think that brought out some of our best soccer to date,” head coach Kathy Brawn stated.  

The Raiders host Fairleigh Dickinson on September 1 at 7 p.m. on Beyer-Small ‘76 Field, the first-ever meeting between Colgate and FDU. Following the match with FDU the Raiders will travel to Providence College on September 4 for a matchup against the Friars. These two matches are pivotal to the Raiders continuous efforts to start their 2016 campaign off on the right foot. They have had a firm start, and it will be important for them to capitalize on their momentum as they head further into their season and play skilled foes.