WEST POINT, N.Y. — Colgate won its third Patriot League title Sunday, defeating Boston University 17-10 at Michie Stadium.
The Raiders outscored the Terriers 7-2 in the third to pull ahead and never looked back. Matt LaCombe had another standout performance for the Raiders, making 10 saves to earn Tournament MVP honors. Liam Connor, Rory Connor, and Hunter Drouin joined him on the All-Tournament Team.
COACH KARWECK'S COMMENTS
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First, let me just mention how amazing it is to have such an amazing staff. Coach Lattimore, Coach Munro, and Coach Conway work their tails off everyday, and I am truly blessed to have them with me.
The most critical staff member, whose dedication to our program cannot be understated, is our Athletic Trainer, Catie O'Neal. She hasn't had a day off in weeks, and we are so thankful for her love, care, and patience with our guys. No doubt, our MVP, keeping our guys fresh, taped up, patched together, and ready to go. Thank you to Catie! We love ya!
What I've enjoyed most about this Patriot Championship, and the path we took, is that our guys truly earned it. They did the tough, challenging work. They are gritty, developed every week, and stayed humble and hungry throughout the whole season. All 58 of our players have a role, how important they are to the success of our team, care about winning, and they want to do it for each other. I could not be happier for them to get this feeling, and I'm so proud to be their coach."
HOW IT HAPPENED
- Colgate secured the win with goals from L. Connor and Drouin, putting the Raiders ahead 17-10.
- Boston University had pulled within six after netting three straight to start the fourth, making it 15-9.
- The Raiders outscored BU 7-2 in the third to gain momentum and never look back. Kyle Rummel went 7-for-9 in face offs and scooped up five ground balls in the quarter to help the Raiders go on the run.
- Hunter Drouin put one in, and Casey Qunson notched his second after a BU tally at the 1:59 mark, giving Colgate a 14-6 advantage. Drouin added a tally with five seconds remaining, pushing it to a nine-goal game.
- The Terriers opened the second half scoring, but the Raiders used a run of four straight to go up seven. R. Connor, Drouin, and L. Connor scored in a minute to make it 11-5. Casey Quinson scored a beautiful goal at the 8:43 mark, pushing the score to 12-5.
- The Raiders led 8-4 at halftime, scoring three straight goals to end the second. Rory Connor found the back of the net at the 3:14 mark. Turner fired one in with just over two and a half minutes left, and Ryan Favaro followed 31 seconds later.
- After another goal from Turner to start the second, the Terriers pulled within one with a 3-0 run.
- Colgate held a 4-1 advantage at the end of the first quarter after Jack Turner scored with just over a minute and a half remaining following a BU tally.
- Matt LaCombe stopped five shots in the second to hold BU to three goals.
- The Raiders went on a run midway through the opening frame to take the lead. Ryan Favaro broke the stalemate just over seven minutes in. Twenty seconds later, L. Connor scored, followed by Hunter Drouin 1:17 later.
GAME NOTES
- Drouin led the team with six points behind four goals and two assists.
- R. Connor tallied five points (2G, 3A), while Liam Connor netted four goals.
- Favaro put together a four-point performance with two goals and two helpers.
- Jack Turner posted his 11th game with three or more goals, logging a hat trick.
- Rummel finished with a career-best 11 ground balls. He also went 17-of-29 (.586) in face offs. The 17 wins marked a career-high for the sophomore.
- John Carrabine led the defensive efforts with three caused turnovers while scooping up five ground balls.
- Quinn Fitzsimmons caused two turnovers, while Max Yates and Sam Erickson collected four ground balls.
- Colgate won the Patriot League title and returns to the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 2015.
UP NEXT
The Raiders await their opponent for the NCAA Tournament. The selection show will air live on ESPNU Sunday at 9:30 p.m.
