AU failed to record a Patriot League victory for the first time in its 14 years in the league after its 11th straight loss. AU lost to the Colgate Raiders 1-0 on their Senior Day Saturday at Reeves Field.
The Eagles will not qualify for the Patriot League Tournament. It is also the first time since 2011 the Eagles have failed to reach at least the Patriot League Tournament semifinals.
The Eagles put together one of their best performances of the season only to be undone by a late penalty kick converted by Colgate senior midfielder Caroline Brawner.
The Eagles (3-15-0, 0-9-0 PL) played mostly on the counter-attack. Despite conceding possession to the Raiders (13-2-2, 7-1-1 PL) throughout the game, AU still managed to put together several dangerous scoring chances against Colgate goalkeeper Brenna Mason. The AU defense was resolute as well, yielding only one goal from the 19 Raiders shots. Charlene Belanger anchored the defense with seven saves.
“I think ending on this note was very good, a very positive note considering we contested and stayed with the best team in the Patriot League this season,” head coach Anabel Hering said. “So to only lose 1-0 with a [penalty kick] was a great effort.”
The game began very evenly with both sides recording eight shots in the first half. AU had the better of the chances, but couldn’t take the lead. In the 25th minute, sophomore defender Allie Day picked up a corner kick from sophomore midfielder Marley Jennings, but her effort was palmed into the crossbar by Mason.
The Eagles almost took the lead again in the 39th minute after a cross by senior forward Lindsey Muri that struck the hand of a Colgate defender in the box, resulting in a penalty kick for AU. Senior defender Michaela Cowgill stepped up for the spot kick, but she hit the inside of the post, keeping the score 0-0.
Neither team earned as many scoring chances in the second half, however Colgate notched the win off a penalty kick in the 72nd minute when Brawner was played in with an over-the-top through pass from senior defender Chelsea Roche. Brawner then went past an AU defender before being pushed over from behind and awarded a penalty kick. She put her penalty kick low and to the right of a diving Belanger.
AU pressed for a late equalizer but they struggled to carve out a clear cut chance, and instead failed to earn a win or tie for the 11th straight match.
The day began with a pre-game presentation to honor the six seniors, Belanger, Cowgill, Muri, midfielder Nicole Paviglionite, and defenders Danielle Beard and Kirsten Eriksen.
“[They’re a] great class. We’re definitely going to miss them, lots of talent at every position, starters, so we’re going to miss them on the field,” Hering said.
