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Colgate Captures 2011 Patriot League Men's Soccer Championship
Nov. 13, 2011 2011 Patriot League Men’s Soccer Championship Central WASHINGTON, D.C. – At halftime, it appeared as though top-seeded American and No. 2 Colgate were headed to another scoreless contest. Both teams had survived 0-0 draws in the semifinals and advanced to Sunday’s match on penalty kicks. But Mike Garzi’s diving header in the 70th minute ensured this would not be the only scoreless Patriot League Men’s Soccer Tournament in history, and Mike Reidy’s insurance goal in the 83rd minute effectively iced the game as Colgate (11-4-6) captured a 2-0 win over host American (7-12-2) at Reeves Field in Washington, D.C. The Raiders will find out their destination for the first round of the NCAA Tournament during the Men’s Soccer Selection Show that will be shown Monday at 4:30 p.m. on NCAA.com. First round matches are slated for Thursday, while the second round will be contested Sunday, Nov. 20. Forty-eight teams make the tournament, with the top 16 receiving byes to the second round. Reidy and Garzi were both named to the All-Tournament Team, along with teammates Mike Reese and Steven Miller. Miller was named Tournament MVP. Just as the two semifinal contests had transpired, American and Colgate went into halftime tied at 0-0. American held the edge in shots, 6-4, and shots on goal, 3-2. The chances picked up a bit in the second half. American keeper Matt Makowski stopped a Patrick Letourneau header to keep the game scoreless, but the Raiders would break through shortly thereafter. Barrett Metzger sent a cross into the box from the left wing that found Garzi, who send a diving header past Makowski and into the net at the 69:19 mark to put the Raiders ahead 1-0. American increased its offensive pressure, forcing the Raiders to tighten up on defense. After an Eagle flurry, Reidy was able to get possession and dribble up the right side of the pitch before cutting to the middle. He unleashed an incredible individual effort, out-maneuvering three American defenders and Makowski to bury the goal at 82:31. The Eagles finished as Patriot League runners-up for the third consecutive season and first time as host. Makowski, Adem Gokturk and Cristobal Soto were named All-Tournament performers from American. Colgate improves to 5-0-0 all-time in Patriot League title matches, also winning the trophy in 1992, 1997, 2007 and 2008. American falls to 1-4-1 in the championship bout. The Eagles finished the game with an 11-10 edge in shots. Makowski stopped five for the Eagles, while Grant Reed earned his ninth shutout of the season with four saves. Rounding out the All-Tournament Team were Zach Davis and Martin Sanchez from Navy, and Kevin Strunk and Cameron Omsberg from Lehigh. 2011 Patriot League Men's Soccer All-Tournament Team
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