AU women’s soccer team came out on the short end of a 1-0 double-overtime contest against Colgate University on Oct. 17. The loss is AU’s first of Patriot League play.
With time waning in the second overtime period, Colgate utilized a corner kick to set-up their game-winning goal. Avery Atkins headed the ball off of a perfectly placed cross to beat AU goalie Arianna Efstathiou, with less than four minutes remaining in the match.
Despite temperatures in the 30s and the Raiders’ home field advantage, all of their wins have come at home. The Eagles matched Colgate’s intensity throughout the game.
Both teams had limited scoring opportunities in the first 45 minutes of the contest. American had two shots on goal and Colgate, who had the half’s only corner kick, had three. Just as the half was expiring, Efstathiou made a clutch save to preserve the 0-0 tie. Each team also picked up a yellow card in the half.
AU outplayed the Raiders in the second half, yet they were unable to convert on any of their 11 shots in the period. Sloppy play by AU stifled the momentum they had generated; they had nine fouls and four offside calls in the period.
Despite only three shots on goal, Colgate received one of the better scoring chances in the half. It happened after they launched a free kick that landed behind the AU defenders and evaded a diving Efstathiou. While it beat the AU goalie, it ultimately hit the post.
AU looked hungry to finish the game in regulation, as they netted three shots on goal with less than two minutes remaining in the half. The Colgate defense and their goalie, Ashley Walsh, stood tall throughout AU’s last minute shot barrage, pushing the game into extra frames.
Walsh was solid in the game, with 10 saves in total. That said however, a little luck was needed in the first overtime period to preserve the tie. With 34 seconds remaining, Kelsey Brasher went one-on-one with the goalkeeper and fired a shot that sailed inches wide of the net.
It would be the last scoring chance of the game for the Eagles, as the Raiders were able to capitalize on their only opportunity in the second overtime period.
Seven of the Eagles’ players had two or more shots in the contest, leading AU to an 18-12 shot advantage. Efstathiou, who has a 7-8 record despite allowing just 14 goals in 15 games, made six saves in the match.
The red, white and blue have struggled away from Reeves Field this year, posting a 1-6 on the road. Bucknell and AU, with records of 3-1, now share the top spot in the Patriot League standings.
The Eagles have three more games left on the season and play two away games this weekend, against Lafayette on Friday night and Lehigh on Sunday afternoon.
Junior midfielder Brooke Sheppard received the AU student-athlete of the week honors on Monday. Her four points led AU to two conference victories in the last two games.
You can reach this writer at sports@theeagleonline.com.
