Bucknell University
Colgate (Patriot League Tournament Semifinals)
Women's Soccer Falls 2-1 in Snowstorm at Colgate in PL Semifinals
11/7/2014 11:33:00 PM | Women's Soccer
HAMILTON, N.Y. -- The Bucknell women's soccer team was eliminated from the postseason under crazy circumstances on Friday night, as top-seeded Colgate prevailed 2-1 in a Patriot League Tournament semifinal game that was played through a snowstorm. Courtney Nelson scored a 63rd-minute equalizer for the fifth-seeded Bison, but Catherine Williams answered in the 77th to put the Raiders through to the title game.
With heavy snow whipping in and blanketing Beyer-Small '76 Field, the start of the match was delayed over an hour. When play finally did get underway with snow still falling, more than an inch of powder covered the pitch.
Colgate (14-2-2) took the lead in the 35th minute when Jenna Raepple's shot took a deflection and then skid inside the right post. The Bison did not get a shot or a corner kick in the first half, but they got things going after an extended halftime break allowed for plows to help clear the field.
Nelson's first goal of the year leveled the match at the 62:55 mark. Colgate had the ball in Bucknell's defensive third, but pressure forced a retreating pass to the back. Nelson pounced and stole the ball near midfield, and then she raced into the box and finished the 45-yard breakaway.
With 13:09 left in regulation, Eliza Doll centered a pass from the right side, and Williams headed it in for a 2-1 lead. The Bison had several good opportunities to tie it back up in the final five minutes, and Colgate had to defend three corner kicks in the last minute, but Bucknell could not get the equalizer.
After being shut out in the first half, Bucknell logged nine shots and nine corner kicks in the second. Jessie Ashworth finished with three saves for the Bison, while Colgate keeper Brenna Mason had one save.
Bucknell finishes the season with a 10-9-2 record, while Colgate advances to face Boston University in the championship game on Sunday.
