Nov. 16, 2008
Hamilton, N.Y.- The Colgate Raiders won their fourth Patriot League Championship after defeating the Holy Cross Crusaders, 2-1, in Sunday's title match. The Raiders secured the Patriot League's automatic NCAA qualifying berth with the victory, sending Colgate to its second NCAA Tournament in as many years. Despite the loss, Holy Cross is still in contention for an at-large berth in the NCAA Tournament. Colgate will learn its NCAA Tournament destination and Holy Cross will see if it has earned an at-large berth between 6 and 6:30 p.m. on Monday evening, when the NCAA Division I Men's Soccer Selection Show airs on ESPNews.
Despite the blustery, 30-degree temperature in Hamilton, Colgate (12-5-3) got off to a hot start, as senior Matt Leach crossed a ball to Second-Team All-League forward Alex Weekes that spun in for a goal just 5:29 into the game. The Raiders continued to take their shots at Holy Cross (9-5-5) Second-Team All-League netminder Thomas Booth, but Booth made a series of impressive saves in the first period, including an acrobatic save on a shot from Colgate's Steven Miller in the 14th minute. Booth made five saves in the period for Holy Cross (9-5-5). But the Crusaders were also very active offensively, as Patriot League Defender of the Year Jerry Dickinson scored an unassisted goal on a Holy Cross corner kick that Patriot League Goalkeeper of the Year David Cappuccio punched out of the box initially, only to have the rebound deflect to Dickinson, which he knocked in for the score.
The second period brought mild-to-moderate snow and hail that caused several players to slip and lose their footing on the muddy grass surface throughout the period. Both teams had their chances to score in the second period, as they combined for 11 shots, but only Colgate was able to capitalize. In the 76th minute, sophomore Jeff Leach lasered a Colgate free kick to Weekes, who headed in the game-winning goal, his second of the game. Weekes' two goals in the game tied him with Army's A.J. Florkowski and Lafayette's Thomas Harju for the most goals scored in a Patriot League Tournament game by a single player, and also tied him with Florkowski for most points in a Patriot League Tournament game with four. For his efforts, the junior forward was named Tournament MVP.
"Big-time players step up and make plays in big games, and that's the way I would describe Alex," Colgate Head Coach Erik Ronning said of Weekes. "Alex had played outstanding in both games, and as the year has unfolded, he's made some huge plays that have allowed us to get to this level."
In its second trip to the NCAA Tournament, Ronning said he expects his team to carry the lessons learned in its 2-1 first-round loss to South Florida last season into their tournament game next weekend.
"Last year, we got a little experience in the Tournament, and hopefully we can take that experience into the first round and do a good job and represent Colgate well," he said.
2008 Patriot League Men's Soccer All-Tournament Team
Alex Weekes, Colgate, Jr., F (Tournament MVP)
Glenn Volk, Colgate, Sr., D
Matt Leach, Colgate, Sr., F
David Cappuccio, Colgate, Sr., GK
Alejandro Melean, Holy Cross, Sr., D
Jerry Dickinson, Holy Cross, Sr., D
Kyle Miller, Holy Cross, So., F
Cooper Bryant, American, Sr., D
Phil Purdy, American, Sr., M
Mike Celentano, Lafayette, Sr., F
Corey Dempsey, Lafayette, Sr., D
