Playing at home on Tyler’s Field, the Colgate field hockey team lost last Wednesday to Cornell 2-1 but won last Saturday against Lehigh, 5-1. The previous week, the team faced Lafayette on the road in its first Patriot League game of the season, and was defeated, 5-0. These games moved the team’s record to 4-9 overall and 1-1 in Patriot League play.

Last week against Lafayette, the field hockey team was unable to score as Leopards outshot the Raiders, 24-3. Lafayette capitalized on these chances, scoring three in the first half and two in the second. All five of the Leopards’ goals were scored by either Meghan Cicchi or Deanna DiCroce, who netted two and three, respectively. Colgate senior captain Kirsten Lalli finished the game with nine saves.

On Wednesday, the teamwork of first-years Olivia Nabhan and Halle Biggar led to the team’s only goal of the game, with Nabhan recording her third goal of the season and Biggar picking up the assist.

In the first half, Cornell jumped to an early lead, scoring its first goal 2:42 into the game. Their second goal came on a penalty stroke 12 minutes in. At the half, Colgate trailed 2-0 and was at a 13-4 disadvantage in shots taken. They did, however, lead 7-1 in penalty corners.

In the second half, Colgate reduced the Big Red lead by one with a fast break goal by Nabhan. Unfortunately, it was not  enough to catch Cornell and the score was finalized at 2-1. Overall, Cornell outshot the Raiders 21-5. For the fifth time this season Lalli racked up double digits, recording 13 saves.

When the team returned to Tyler’s Field on Saturday, it brought an explosive offense and dominant defense, holding Lehigh to just one goal to Colgate’s five.

Sophomores Lauren Dittman and Adriana Libutti were the stars of the day, as each player scored two goals. Senior captain

Allison Waugh tallied the fifth goal.

The scoring began with the Mountain Hawks’ lone goal 5:51 into the first half. Fifteen minutes later, Dittman tied the game and secured her second goal of the season. Shortly after, a penalty stroke allowed Waugh to add to Colgate’s total and score her first goal of the season. At the conclusion of the half, Libutti posted the Raiders’ third goal of the game.

With the second half underway, Libutti collected her final goal of the day off an assist by senior Laura Denenga. Dittman also netted her second as the game came to an end.

Colgate outshot Lehigh 10-7. Lalli recorded another win and seven saves, while first-year goalie Caitlin Zolet saved three. Lehigh is now 2-11 overall and 0-2

in conference play.

“The contributions that the freshman and sophomores have made on the offensive end are very impressive,” Head Coach Cathy Foto said. “Lately we have been able to generate offense but not sustain it, and in the Lehigh game it was generated and sustained for 70 minutes. One of our key phrases all last week was ‘fight for the ball’, meaning that we had to work hard to get it, keep it and shoot it. The team really rallied around the concept and the result was a very solid game and an important Patriot League win.”

In recognition of her exceptional play, Lalli was awarded Patriot League Goalie of the Week. This is the third time this season that she has received this honor. In the two games, she saved 20 shots, and allowed only three goals. Lalli leads the Patriot League in saves with 126. She also leads in average number of saves per game and save percentage, with 9.69, and .768, respectively.

The Colgate field hockey team will return to action this Saturday when they take on the defending Patriot League Champions, American University. The game will take place at home at Tyler’s Field and is slated for a 1 p.m. start.