Staff Writer

Loyola University Maryland’s women’s soccer (1-7-2, 0-2-0 Patriot League) traveled to Hamilton, N.Y. to face conference foe, Colgate University (6-3, 2-0-0 Patriot League), on Saturday for the first time in school history.

Earlier in the week, Didi Haracic played 110 minutes, recording four saves while Maddie Boccio scored her first collegiate goal as the Greyhounds fought to a 1-1 tie with George Washington in double-overtime. All eyes rested on the Greyhounds leading scorer, Charlotte Miller (2 G), redshirt senior Katelyn McFadden, and Boccio for Loyola’s offensive attack.

With six of Loyola’s nine games decided by one goal or less, the Greyhounds looked to tally a win.

The scoring started early as Colgate quickly moved downfield, capitalizing in the 7th minute on a volley into the box from Jenna Panepinto that found Emily Manoogian for the score. The Raiders continued their aggressive play, accumulating six fouls in the 20 minutes following their first goal. Eventually, Colgate’s offense took two shots before Sarah Coy scored off of a throughball from Lexi Panepinto.

The Greyhounds hurried to respond and won a corner kick midway through the first half.  Boccio took the kick, which led to the Greyhounds first and only shot of the first half in the 29th minute.

Senior midfielder Chantal Celestin took a shot on goal, but Brenna Mason, the Raiders’ goaltender, was well-positioned and made the save to hold Loyola scoreless.

After a save by Haracic and multiple substitutions on both sides, the Raiders went back on the offensive. Catherine Williams scored in the 35th minute after receiving a throughball from Manoogian to expand Colgate’s lead.

First half scoring opportunities were rare for the Greyhounds. By the end of the half, Loyola had taken one shot to Colgate’s eight, and one corner kick to the Raiders’ three.

Loyola entered the second half with a sense of urgency. While their aggressive play drew four fouls and a yellow card, the Greyhounds also won an early corner kick but did not generate a shot on goal.

Later, in the 64th minute, Melissa Lookingland took another corner for Loyola, but the offense was denied once more. Throughout the second half, Loyola made 11 substitutions, exerting every effort to find the perfect matchups.

In the 68th minute, Haracic made a spectacular, diving save to preserve the score after an uncontested shot from inside the box. Tending net for the entire match, Haracic registered four saves under a 13-shot barrage from the Raiders.

The Greyhounds persisted, attempting all five of their second half shots in the final 12 minutes of the contest, one shot from Celestin, Kelsey Targarona, and Nicole Wojcik each with an additional two from Morgan Crable. Despite the offensive pressure at the end of the game, the Greyhounds’ three shots that were on target were saved.

In spite of their persistence, Loyola came up short of the win.

The Greyhounds looks for a bounce-back win during the last of a three-game road trip on Wednesday, October 2 at Bucknell (4-6-0, 1-1-0 Patriot League).