After a five game road trip, the Eagles returned to Jacobs Field on Oct. 18 to face Patriot League rival the Colgate University Raiders. Following an early 2-0 lead, the Eagles never looked back and finishing the day with a 4-1 win.
With their victory AU secured a spot in the Patriot League tournament for the 14th season in a row.
The game was the last in a home stand of the regular season and served as a celebration for the accomplishments of the graduating members of the team. The four seniors, defender Grace Wilson, midfielder Rebecca Treharne, midfielder Carly Atchison and forward Kati Rothenhoefer, were honored during a pre-game ceremony.
The seniors were all key members of the last season’s Patriot League championship team, which advanced to the Sweet 16 of the NCAA tournament. The honoree’s friends and family, alumni and athletic director Billy Walker were present for the pre-game ceremony.
From the beginning of the game, the Eagles (8-6, 3-1 PL) were able to advance past the Raiders (4-9, 3-1 PL) defense and go deep into the striking circle. The Eagles first goal came after freshman defender Samantha McCormick recovered a blocked shot off a rebound, and sophomore Natalie Konerth finished the play by redirecting the ball into the back of the net.
AU’s second goal came only five minutes later during a penalty corner. Atchison inserted the ball into the circle, and Wilson was able to push the ball in front of the net. Colgate’s goalie Amanda DiDomizio slid to block prematurely, and junior midfielder Jess Davis tipped the ball into the empty right upper corner of the net.
Colgate used aerial passes to get the ball past the heads of the AU defenders and deliver passes to their forwards as they drove down field. However, the Eagles strong back line disrupted Colgate’s offensive attacks with relentless man-to-man defense. The only goal the Raiders were able to muscle came after a blocked penalty corner where the Eagles failed to clear the ball from the striking circle.
Well into the first half, Davis whiffed on a scoring opportunity to make it 3-1 by hitting a ball wide of the net. Moments later, Atchison set Davis up from the left side for a chance at redemption. Davis was able to shoot it into the corner of the net for her second goal of the day.
The Eagles added one more goal after the half when junior midfielder Isabel Terwindt hit a quick shoot from 10-feet out. Atchison earned her second assist of the day on the play as well.
AU held possession most of the game which led to a lopsided shot total of 18-8 in favor of the Eagles. AU also generated more penalty corners 10-7, with eight of them coming in the first half. AU, however, earned three more fouls..
“We wanted to get off to a strong start and we wanted to be able to generate a lot more scoring opportunities, get some second-chance opportunities,” head coach Steve Jennings said.
The Eagles have their last regular season home game on Oct. 24 versus Patriot League foes Boston University.
