As students returned to campus and classes got underway, Colgate Field Hockey opened its Fall 2025 season on Friday, Aug. 30, with a home matchup against Rider University. The Raiders struggled to find their rhythm and fell 3–0, but the team remained undeterred and eager to build from the experience. Just two days later, they bounced back with a decisive 5–3 win over Lock Haven — the program’s first victory against the Bald Eagles since 2004. Junior Morgan Willis delivered a standout performance in the win, scoring a career-high four goals.
Senior captain Dani Palmer reflected on the contrasting outcomes, noting how the team shifted its mindset between games.
“Going into Friday, the team had a lot of emotions, the first game of the season is always very exciting. I felt that we came out really strong on Friday, but as the game went on, we struggled to adapt once we went down a goal early on,” Palmer said. “But it was a great first game, and we were able to learn a lot from it. I am really proud of the team for how we switched our mindset for Sunday’s game. We took everything that we wanted to work on from Friday, implemented it into the game, and got a great win from it. Throughout the entire game on Sunday, we were high energy, intense, and stayed confident for a full 60 minutes.”
Willis reflected on the team’s performance and explained that her scoring success was the direct result of the group’s chemistry, vision and execution throughout the match.
“Everyone was putting in their very best effort to control the ball and maintain possession. We saw each other extremely well on the field and were able to anticipate each other the best we ever have, including switches, blind passes, and double-teaming,” Willis said. “The only reason I was able to score on Sunday was because of my 10 other teammates who effectively worked the ball up to me in the right place.”
Palmer built upon Willis’s emphasis on team play by explaining how this win was a clear reflection of the team’s steady growth and the bonds forged during a competitive and grueling preseason.
“Preseason is always a great time to bond with the team, and this year I felt that we became a very close-knit team. We train very hard throughout the 2-3 weeks of preseason; an average day would usually consist of 1-2 practices, treatment with our trainer Kristin, and then twice a week, we usually have a lift or meeting. The days can be very long and physically demanding, but I love being able to make great memories and spend a lot of time with my teammates without any other distractions that [the] academic semester brings,” Palmer said.
She further explained that this foundation has built trust and confidence heading into the season.
“I can confidently say that this year is by far the best chemistry and connection that I have felt on the team so far. We are all extremely close friends, and the new first years have jumped into the team seamlessly. Our chemistry definitely showed on the field against Lock Haven, and I am really excited to continue to build off that,” Palmer said.
Looking ahead to their next weekend of non-conference play versus Long Island University and Central Michigan, the Raiders hope to add a few more wins to the stat sheet and build momentum for Patriot League competition. Driving this momentum is the team camaraderie Palmer noted will carry them through this tough competition.
“One of the main areas of focus this year is ‘connectivity.’ Our head coach, April, has been emphasizing the importance of being able to connect on the field and play freely with each other. We have been focusing on keeping possession of the ball, making the smart pass and finding the open player. I feel like this is going to be a huge part of our success this year. In past years, this has always been one of our goals, but this year, having it be the focal point of the season has really helped us execute these skills,” Palmer said.
Head Coach April Cornell-DeAngelis echoed that sentiment, highlighting the leadership and adaptability that will drive the team’s success.
“As coaches, we have tried to provide a space where it is player-driven and the team is put in a position to have to problem solve and make those decisions themselves. Whether it is a time stipulation in a game or [the] number of reps and holding one another accountable in those moments, I think we have some really fantastic leadership on our team, and I’ve seen a lot of people stepping up to execute, which we see carry over into our games. I think playing free and taking risks has allowed us to connect in those moments and be more cohesive on the field because we are playing for one another,” Cornell-DeAngelis said.
However, she also highlighted areas of focus for the team as they work to build on their recent success to continue development both individually and collectively. She emphasized the importance of staying intentional in practice and keeping their goals in mind as they approach each game.
“We are going to focus on what we can control and what we do when we have possession. Decision-making around drawing a foul, making a pass, playing with speed. We want individuals to know that they have control and stay composed in those high-pressure moments. We can always challenge ourselves to take more risks and challenge ourselves especially when we face a rival like Cornell. It’s a team that we know well, and we don’t want preconceived notions to distract us from what we want to focus on, which is Colgate Field Hockey.”
Looking forward, the team still has a long road ahead and plenty of opportunities to grow. They will look to find success in Patriot League play and, come November, compete for a spot in the Patriot League Tournament. Cornell-DeAngelis expressed her full confidence in this group and highlighted her appreciation for their energy and effort.
“I love how open this group is, open for feedback, wanting to grow and be their best. They create an incredibly competitive and challenging environment, but when the drill stops or practice stops, everyone is laughing and celebrating the small wins. It is certainly a special and driven group that is fun to coach,” she said.
That momentum stalled in a 2–1 loss at rival Cornell on Sept. 6, where senior Anna Lochhead scored Colgate’s lone goal. The Raiders will look to regroup in upcoming non-conference games and carry those lessons into Patriot League play.
