Oct. 24, 2008
Box Score
EASTON, Pa. - On a cold Friday evening at Mike Bourger '44 Field at Oaks Stadium, the Lafayette women's soccer team dropped a 3-0 decision at the hands of Colgate. The Raiders scored two goals in the first half and one in the second 45 minutes to grab the win.
Colgate got on the board in the eighth minute when a disputed call rewarded the Raiders with a corner kick. After a Lafayette cleared the ball out of harm's way on the initial kick, the ball deflected out to Colgate midfielder Jess Bitsack. Bitsack controlled the ball and sent it past Leopard goalkeeper Alison Malloy, inside the far post to give the Raiders the 1-0 advantage.
Lafayette answered the Colgate goal with scoring chances of its own. Back-to-back corner kicks in the tenth minute left the Leopards with one shot from freshman Dana Moyer that was deflected and sailed high.
Following a back and forth midfield battle through the next 15 minutes, Colgate made a run through the Lafayette defense. Malloy sprawled to make a sensational initial save, but the rebound came out to Raider defender Christine Walker about 30 yards from goal. In attempt to center the ball, Walker skied a shot that went over the recovering Malloy's head and fell into the back of the net just inches inside the post.
Colgate added an extra tally in the 66th minute to grab the 3-0 lead.
The Leopards nearly got on the board with just under 18 minutes remaining when Moyer forced a Lafayette direct kick 25 yards out. Senior Lauren Hinkel took the free kick and sent it headed for the back of the net before the Colgate keeper dove to her left and made the save inches from the goal line.
Malloy finished with three saves on the night, while Rebecca Michlin made one save in goal for the Raiders.
Lafayette forced four corner kicks in the Colgate zone, managing two shots off the kicks.
"I thought we were unlucky to go into the half 2-0," said head coach Mick Statham.
"I thought we had played quite well and put some things together in attacking and defended quite solidly. The second half, the game seemed to fizzle out a little bit and I don't think either team offered a ton, as far as penetration goes. Colgate was also comfortable and didn't need to attack as much. I'm proud of the player's efforts, I think they were a little unfortunate tonight with one or two of the goals, but I'm proud of them and it just wasn't our night tonight."
The Leopards return to action on Sunday in the final home game of the 2008 season when they host Bucknell on Senior Day. Kick-off is set for 1 p.m and will be preceded by a pre-game ceremony to celebrate Lafayette's five members of the Class of 2009.
