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Thursday, March 28, 2024
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AU senior defender Hayley Mullins surveys the field in the Eagles' District Day match against Tennessee September 4. Mullins and the Eagles fell in their Patriot League opener to Colgate 1-0. 

Women’s soccer loses Patriot League opener

Colgate University beats the Eagles 1-0

The AU women’s soccer team kept an aggressive match alive on Saturday, but fell 1-0 to the Colgate Raiders on a mild, sunny afternoon at Reeves Field.

The Eagles (1-8-0, 0-1-0 PL) remained steadfast and crafted several late chances, but were unable to find the back of the net. The team continued to be hesitant when attacking with the ball, a result of what head coach Anabel Hering described as fatigue and the search to find a successful lineup.

Colgate (3-3-0, 1-0-0 PL) was assertive from the beginning of the game, foreshadowing the amount of pressure the AU defense would be under for the majority of the match. The Eagles remained resolute and repelled attack after attack from the Raiders. AU applied strong defensive pressure on the aggressive Colgate offense, exemplified when sophomore defender Bruna Gomes received a yellow card for forcefully sliding into a Raider. The first half proved to be a struggle for both teams, and the forty-five minutes ended scoreless.

The intensity in the second half increased on both sides, with each team pushing for the first goal. The rough physical play was depicted when Colgate senior forward Sarah Coy and AU senior defender Hayley Mullins had to be separated by the head official.

Colgate remained fixated on scoring, preventing AU from maintaining possession and testing the AU backline. The Eagles’ defense continued to hold firm until Colgate freshman forward Abby Sotomayor crossed the ball into the AU box. The ball bounced off the right post where it barely crossed the goal line, giving Colgate the lead.

The Eagles continued to fight, putting pressure up the left side in hopes of returning the goal. However, AU was unable to manufacture a clear-cut chance at scoring and its defense was tested again when freshman goalkeeper Morgan Lang faltered and was called for a hand ball outside of the eighteen yard box. Colgate was unable to capitalize on the free kick but was able to maintain enough pressure to prevent AU from scoring an equalizing goal. Lang continued to have a strong game for the Eagles, saving eight shots throughout the 90 minutes.

Colgate was able to fire 22 shots on goal, while AU recorded only four. The Eagles will attempt to quickly rebound from their loss when they face the University of Richmond on September 20 at 4:00 pm on Reeves Field.

sports@theeagleonline.com


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