EASTON, Pa. - Bianca Howitt's converted penalty in the 58th minute was the lone Raider goal in a 1-1 draw against Lafayette on Saturday afternoon in Easton.
COACH HOKANSON'S COMMENTS
"Positive start for us in Patriot league play. Lafayette is a very challenging place to play as they are very good at home. I felt as though for as much possession as we had in the game, I would have loved for us to create a few more high-quality chances. Disappointed to give up a goal but credit to Laf, it was a great finish in the end. I'm encouraged by the progress the group continues to make, and how deep we are. Now it's a matter of turning our performances into results and taking care of the details. But a very impactful point on the road, we look forward to another challenging game on Friday against Navy."
HOW IT HAPPENED
- Ari Bezanson fired a strike early in the match but it flew just high of the crossbar.
- Anna Keeling forced a save from the Lafayette keeper halfway through the first half.
- Bezanson nearly put Colgate ahead in the closing stages of the first half with an intricate build up by the Raiders but the shot went wide left.
- Lafayette got its first shot attempt with less than five minutes to play in the half but it soared wide.
- Neither side was able to find the back of the net and the match remained scoreless at 45 minutes.
- Ella Poppinga made a diving stop to her left early in the second frame to keep the game tied at zero.
- Molly Richards earned a penalty kick for the Raiders in the 58th minute. Bianca Howitt calmly tucked the kick from the spot into the bottom left corner to give Colgate a 1-0 lead.
- Lafayette was able to equalize in the 62nd minute on a rebound.
- Nikki DiCaprio thought she had given Colgate the lead again in the 72nd minute but after video review it was determined that she was offside.
- In the final minute of action, a short pass back to the Leopard keeper was challenged by Bezanson and the clearance deflected off the attackers leg just wide left of the net.
- The match finished 1-1 in the Patriot League opener.
GAME NOTES
- Ella Poppinga made three saves betwixt the pipes.
- Bianca Howitt scored her first goal of the season.
- The Raiders finished their five-game road trip, 2-1-2.
UP NEXT
Colgate (3-3-4, 0-0-1 PL) returns to Hamilton for the first time in nearly a month as they are set to host Navy on Friday, Sept. 26. Kickoff is set for 5 p.m. at Beyer-Small '76 Field.
