HAMILTON, N.Y. - Lafayette took Colgate to the final minutes, falling by a 9-8 decision on Saturday morning in a snowy Andy Kerr Stadium.

Junior defender Lindsay Geiger hit the 100 career draw controls milestone, collecting three in the center circle on the road.

The Raiders jumped out to an early 3-0 lead in the first quarter using two goals from Caroline Panzirer.

The Leopards were held scoreless until back-to-back tallies by Sophia Spallone (4:03) and Clare Culligan (2:22) brought the program within one, 3-2, heading into the second period.

Colgate took a 3-1 scoring advantage before the break, leading 6-3 at halftime. Sara Rogers was credited with the lone Leopard free-position goal while Panzirer totaled four.

Freshman attacker Elizabeth Hanham scored her first career goal at 5:38 in the third quarter, negating the Raiders' initial second-half tally, trailing 7-4.

Lafayette continued along a 4-0 run down to the one-minute mark, tying the game 7-7. Culligan, Abby Romano and Olivia Kelley all contributed to the Leopards' comeback attempt.

Colgate's Lucy Licata scored with one second on the clock to close out the third period on top, 8-7.

Olivia Hover opened the final 15 minutes of play to even the score once again, 8-8 at 6:47.

Both programs fought hard to stay scoreless through the final minutes of regulation, but the Raiders' Lauren Thompson earned the eventual game-winner with nine seconds remaining in the contest.

The Maroon and White held the advantage in draw controls (11-9) while the hosts earned more ground balls (20-18) and shots (26-22). Lafayette went 18-for-22 to Colgate's 19-to-21 in clears.

Lafayette's senior goalkeeper Lexie Coldiron made nine saves. Her Raider counterpart, Lauren Solis, made seven.

Next up, the Leopards travel to Bucknell on Wednesday for a 7 p.m. opening draw in Lewisburg, Pa.

 
For the latest on the Lafayette College women's lacrosse program, follow the Leopards on Instagram @lafayette_wlax and Twitter @LafayetteWLAX.