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Colgate and American to Meet for Patriot League Women's Soccer Championship
No. 1 Colgate 1, No. 4 Navy 0 (OT) No. 2 American 1, No. 3 Bucknell 0
Hamilton, N.Y.--Fans of drama would have loved Friday's Patriot League Women's Soccer semifinals, as No. 1 Colgate topped No. 4 Navy, 1-0, in overtime in the opener and No. 2 American scored with 50 seconds left in regulation to beat No. 3 Bucknell, 1-0, in the nightcap. Top-seeded Colgate will play for the Patriot League Championship for the 14th time since the first Patriot League Tournament was held in 1991. The Raiders, winners of a League-record 10 Patriot League women's soccer titles, will meet American. The Eagles will be making their third title appearance. American's lone championship came in 2002 when the Eagles topped Colgate for the crown. Sunday's championship will mark the first time since 2004 that the top two seeds have met for the title.
No. 1 Colgate 1, No. 4 Navy 0 (OT)
Freshman forward Elise Amioka scored the decisive goal on a cross from 35 yards out in the 97th minute to lift Colgate to the overtime victory. 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.
Patriot League Rookie of the Year Ashley Walsh made five saves to pick up her seventh shutout of the season. She outdueled Beth Reed, the Patriot League Goalkeeper of the Year, who made six saves in defeat for the Mids. The Raiders outshot the Mids by a 15-9 margin.
Colgate, which fell by the same score in overtime against Navy in last year's Patriot League semifinals, exacted a measure of revenge and advanced to its first title game since 2006. The Raiders will be chasing their first title since 2004. Colgate has never gone more than four consecutive years without a Patriot League Championship. Colgate is now 10-6-3 and has won six straight games. Navy closes its season at 14-5-2.
No. 2 American 1, No. 3 Bucknell 0
Kristin Piorun netted a goal with 50 seconds remaining, breaking a scoreless tie and sending American to the Patriot League Championship round for the first time since 2003. The Eagles, which will be chasing their second-ever Patriot League crown, will be making their third appearance in the title game.
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.
American clamped tightly onto Bucknell's explosive offensive attack, limiting the Bison to just two shots-on-goal throughout the contest. The Eagles' stout defensive effort helped sophomore goalkeeper Arianna Efstathiou recorded her seventh shutout of the season. Efstathiou made two saves to improve to 7-9 on the season. Sutton made seven saves in defeat.
American is now 11-9-0 and will meet top-seeded Colgate in the Patriot League Championship. Bucknell ends its season at 10-8-1.
Patriot League Championship, No. 2 American at No. 1 Colgate, Sunday, 1 p.m.
For the first time since 2004, the top two seeds will meet in the Patriot League Championship. It will be the second title meeting between American and Colgate, with the Eagles winning the 2002 championship over the Raiders in West Point, N.Y.
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