Second-seeded Lafayette used a first-half goal by Alec Golini ’14 to defeat No. 3 Colgate 1-0 in the Patriot League Semifinal Friday afternoon at Reeves Field.
Midway into the opening half, Lafayette took control of the match on Golini’s team-leading seventh goal of the year. The First-Team All-Patriot League selection ran onto the ball when it bounced out to him at the top corner of the Raiders’ penalty area. He fired a low, left-footed strike past goalie Liam Stapleton and into the far-side panel.
Goalkeeper Nathan McDonald ’14 made three saves en route to his eighth clean sheet of the season, including a diving stop on a shot by Colgate’s Dan Matthews with less than ten minutes to play.
Lafayette continued its stellar defensive play, picking up its third consecutive shutout. McDonald and the defensive unit have not allowed a goal in 356:27 of game action. The last time Lafayette surrendered a goal was in its regular-season meeting with Colgate Oct. 20.
Colgate held a 13-9 shots advantage and took three corners without surrendering any to Lafayette. It was the first time all season Lafayette was held without a corner kick.
The Leopards will play regular-season champion American at Reeves Field 1 p.m. Sunday. With a victory, Lafayette can claim its seventh Patriot League Championship and an automatic berth in the NCAA Tournament.
Results from NSSE can provide prospective students with insights into how they might learn and develop at a given college. 