Colgate field hockey got off to a strong start with a 3-0 win over Ball State at home on Friday night. Sopho­more Olivia Nabhan was responsible for the first two tallies, while teammate and fellow sophomore Halle Biggar came up with the third. At the Colgate goal, first-year Amanda DiDomizio recorded 11 saves to end the game in a shutout in her first collegiate start.

At the start of the game, observers could not have predicted such a dominat­ing win for the Raiders. Ball State con­trolled the tempo for the first ten min­utes, but was unable to capitalize on its opportunities on goal. Colgate was able to pick up the pace, however, when ju­nior Lauren Dittman drove a shot on a penalty corner off a Ball State defender that deflected to Nabhan for the Raiders’s first goal.

The teams held each other off for the rest of the first half and went into halftime with Colgate up 1-0.

Biggar and Nabhan came out strong again in the second half. Biggar did much of the work at the front of the net until she passed back to Nabhan for the second goal of the game. Just over four minutes later, Nabhan returned the favor when she assisted Biggar at the goal for the third and final tally. Senior co-captain Peyton Hawkins took a shot that ricocheted off the pads of the Ball State keeper. Nabhan picked up possession and flicked the ball to Biggar, who shot at the open net for the win.

The team hopes to improve even fur­ther as the season goes on by focusing on specific aspects of the game in practice and in competition.

“I would say this year our team is sim­ply amplifying our goals from last year: keeping the intensity high and staying focused during practice; being individu­ally accountable and accountable for our teammates.” Biggar explained. “Our team bond and chemistry has only grown since the end of last season, which will hopeful­ly translate into more cohesion out on the field. Most importantly, our team put in a lot of effort in the off-season, last spring, which is already visible out on the field. Plus, add…a large, talented freshman class into the mix. We are all looking forward to seeing how the season will unfold.”

In the game, Nabhan became the sec­ond player in two years to record two goals in a season opener. Biggar was the last to do so in 2010 in a 5-0 win over Robert Morris.

The team’s Saturday game against Rid­er was canceled, but they will be back in action against Hofstra University at home at 4:00 p.m. on Friday.