The Colgate men’s soccer team is proving that this season feels different. After missing out on the NCAA tournament last year, the Raiders have returned with a purpose, starting the fall with a 3-1 record and already collecting statement wins. Their 2–1 victory over Fordham, was particularly gritty. Playing down a man, Colgate showed composure, resilience and unity – qualities that have defined their promising start.
At the heart of that success has been senior goalkeeper Eric Widrick, who was named Patriot League Goalkeeper of the Week for two consecutive weeks. Widrick has stood out as the backbone of the defense, which he credits to his preparation and the work of his teammates in training.
“The key so far has been in my preparation for games, making sure I’m pushing myself and my teammates in practice, which puts me in a good headspace going into a match,” Widrick said. “We have a very talented team, so being able to perform well in practices leading up to a game gives me confidence that the team and I are capable of taking on any team we play this season.”
That confidence carried over into their match against Fordham on Sept. 4th, where the Raiders were forced to dig deep after going a man down. While it could have unraveled the game, Widrick explained that staying composed was essential.
“My mindset after going a man down was that the rest of the game would be hard, but we were still in a great position to win,” he explained. “Since we were leading by two goals, we knew that the longer we were able to keep the lead, the more frustrated Fordham would become. Keeping our cool and grinding out the rest of the game was crucial. Even when they scored on us, I still felt like we were going to come away with the win.”
Now in his senior year, Widrick has also embraced the responsibility of being a leader. As a goalkeeper, his role goes beyond making saves; it includes organizing the backline, setting the tone and helping his teammates stay steady in critical moments.
“I’ve definitely taken on more of a leadership role within the team this year,” he said. “As a senior goalkeeper, I need to be relied on when it comes to organizing our team and being there to help my teammates in the game.”
Still, Widrick sees room for growth. He believes the Raiders’ best soccer lies ahead.
“For myself and the team, I expect that we’ll be able to continue our run of form into the Patriot League season,” he added. “Having a good first few games is great, but we expect to be playing our best later in the season.”
For senior Cason Stafford, the transformation from last season to now is rooted in team culture. He described the Raiders as more unified than ever, with no divisions between classes or cliques. That bond, he believes, has been critical in building confidence on the field.
“I think our team is different from most in the country because we don’t split into separate friend groups – we’re truly a family, and everyone is willing to fight for each other,” Stafford said.
“It starts in the summer, when our [first-years] and upperclassmen work side by side at the youth camp. Bringing in 10 newcomers to a group of 19 returning players could seem challenging, but because we all struggle together in preseason and buy into the same goal, we create a bond that cannot be broken and an environment where everyone can flourish,” he continued.
That connection has helped the Raiders move past last year’s disappointment and set their sights higher. For Cason, the personal and collective goals are clear.
“My individual goals this year include reaching certain individual stats, developing as a player, helping my teammates do the same and making a strong push towards my childhood dream of becoming a professional soccer player,” he said. “But our team goal is much more important than any individual player’s goals. Our collective goal is to win the Patriot League Championship. After missing the [NCAA] tournament last year and feeling that disappointment, there is a different hunger to win it this year.”
Stafford also emphasized that the team’s day-to-day work has been the biggest factor in their early success. He pointed to preseason and training sessions as the foundation for the Raiders’ belief that they can win any match they play.
“Something I haven’t felt with past Colgate teams is going into games just knowing this is one we should win,” he explained. “We came into preseason with our heads down, ready to work, and it’s been working out for us. Keeping the training environment extremely competitive is huge for this team to keep out complacency, with everyone pushing everyone to get better every day. Each game provides a different challenge for us, and the better we adapt to that challenge, the easier the game will go for us.”
Senior Drew Stephans echoed the importance of culture, highlighting how quickly younger players have been brought into the group. He sees that inclusivity as a defining feature of this year’s success.
“It’s developed incredibly well,” Stephans said. “The team has done an incredible job making the freshmen feel at home right away and that’s important in every successful culture.”
For Stephans, the focus is reflects the mindset shared across the team.
“The only goal I have this year is to win the Patriot League Championship with my best friends,” he said. “It’s a really special group this year. There’s a certain feeling around the team and belief that we can do something great.”
With an unbeaten record, momentum on their side and a locker room filled with confidence, Colgate men’s soccer is beginning to look like one of the most dangerous squads in the Patriot League. For the seniors who endured last year’s struggles, this season is already a testament to how quickly a culture can shift. If the Raiders continue to blend preparation, leadership and hunger, they may just turn a strong start into a championship finish.
