Drama in Women’s Soccer, Field Hockey Semifinals
In the Women’s Soccer Championship, the top two seeds advanced to the final for the first time since 2004 in two thrilling games. No. 1 seed and host Colgate defeated No. 4 Navy, 1-0, in overtime in the first game, while No. 2 American scored with 50 seconds left to defeat No. 3 Bucknell, 1-0, in the nightcap. Read the recaps and view the box scores here.
Colgate freshman forward Elise Amioka scored the decisive goal on a cross from 35 yards out. Her cross appeared to be intended for sophomore midfielder Danielle Wessler, drawing the Navy defense toward Wessler. When Wessler missed the ball, it dribbled past the Mids’ defense and into the net for Amioka’s first career goal. Colgate is in the title game for the first time since 2006, and in search of its first title since 2004.
American advanced to the title game for the first time since 2003 when Kristin Piorun netted a goal with 50 seconds remaining to break a scoreless tie. After a free kick, Piorun gained control of the ball near the goal line. She dropped a shot past several Bucknell defenders and Bison goalkeeper Kathryn Sutton. Bucknell garnered one final opportunity, but a free kick by Chelsea McGorry went high and wide with 14 seconds remaining. Bucknell tallied only two shots on goal in the game.
American and Colgate will meet for the Patriot League title for the second time on Sunday at 1 p.m. in Hamilton, with the Eagles defeating the Raiders in 2003.
American also advanced to the Field Hockey Championship, taking a 5-0 lead by halftime and crusing to a 7-1 win over Lehigh. The six-time defending champion Eagles, the top seed and host of the tournament, are back in the final for the seventh year in a row.
But the field hockey drama came in the second semifinal in Washington, D.C. Trailing 2-0 with 21 minutes left in the game, No. 3 Lafayette stormed back to tie the score agaisnt No. 2 Bucknell at 2-2 when Meghan Cicchi scored in the 57th minute. The contest headed to overtime, where Caitlin Titus scored an unasssisted goal to lift the Leopards to the Championship and gain revenge for a semifinal loss to the Bison last year.
For a full recap with box scores from Friday’s field hockey action, click here
No. 3 Lafayette will play at No. 1 American for the Field Hockey Championship on Saturday at 1:30 p.m. The Leopards have seven all-time titles, while the Eagles hold the last six to their name. Lafayette ended American’s 46-game winning streak over League opponents earlier this season with a 2-1 double-overtime win at home on Oct. 24.
The drama was not limited to Patriot League Championships on Friday, either. The men’s soccer Tournament gained another entrant, as Lehigh notched a 2-1 win in double overtime at Bucknell to qualify for the field. The Mountain Hawks joined American and Bucknell in next week’s tournament, with Colgate, Holy Cross and Lafyette all tied for fourth place and competing for the final spot in the event as they play on Saturday. The Raiders are at American, who can host the field with a win. Bucknell would host the event if American loses or ties the Raiders. Holy Cross goes to Army, and Lafayette hosts Navy on Saturday evening.
There was one very notable and surprising score in Patriot League Volleyball on Friday. Navy, which entered the night in last place in the standings at 1-9, pulled off a 3-1 shocker at home over previously unbeaten Army. The Black Knights fell to 10-1, now just a game up on second-place Colgate and two ahead of third-place American. The Eagles also continued the very good day for their school by qualifying for the tournament with a 3-1 win over Holy Cross and Bucknell’s loss to Lehigh. Army and Colgate had previously qualified for the event, so now only one spot remains with Lehigh currently holding fourth place by two games over Bucknell.
We’ll be back on Saturday for a live blog from Colgate/Lafayette Football, which will include updates from the Field Hockey Championship. Get ready for another busy day in our Championship season!
