Sotomayor, DiGiulio Star in Convincing Win over Syracuse

HAMILTON – Abby Sotomayor and Sage DiGiulio had days that they'll remember for a long time Sunday. Sotomayor struck for a pair of tallies in her fourth career two-goal game and DiGiulio joined the party with her first career goal, which turned out to be the game-winner in the Raiders' 3-1 defeat of Syracuse. Sotomayor's first of the day opened up the scoring in the 41st minute, as she fired a low shot to the right of Orange keeper Lysianne Proulx for her second penalty kick goal of the year. The chance came thanks to Claire Micheletti, who was dragged down inside the box. This came after the Raiders had a pair of good buildups in the opening 40 minutes, including a shot from point blank by Adrienne Vaughn that was turned aside. With a small lead at the half, it didn't take long for the Raiders and DiGiulio to build on their advantage. With the ball at her feet and not many immediate options, DiGiulio opened up and fired a high arching shot from 25-yards out that fluttered over the head of Proulx and barely snuck inside the far corner of the net. The sophomore's finish was one for the highlight reel, but it wasn't the last incredible tally of the day. Just under 30 minutes later, Sotomayor cashed in for her second goal of the day when she also blasted one just under the bar, but hers came from just over 30 yards out. Sotomayor's team-leading third goal of the year all but salted the game away, even when Orange midfielder Kate Hostage scored on a penalty kick just over a minute later. Kelly Chiavaro made her return to the Raider net in the contest and turned in one of her best efforts to date. She stopped seven shots and the Blainville native also earned bragging rights over her Québécoise counterpart Proulx, who hails from Montreal. Bottom Line

• Colgate 3, Syracuse 1

Won-Lost Records

• Colgate improved to 2-2-2.

• Syracuse fell to 3-4-0.

Facts & Figures

• With the victory, the Raiders are now 2-0-1 in their last three contests against their in state rival, which includes two straight wins dating back to last season.

• With the win, Colgate extended their home unbeaten streak against the Orange to three games. Syracuse has not won in Hamilton since the 2012 season.

• Sotomayor's other two-goal games in her career came against Fairleigh Dickinson (9/1/16), Lehigh (9/24/16) and Mississippi State (9/3/17).

• The Raider defensive trio of Leah Lewis, Sydney Maxson and Ruby Diodati played in all 90 minutes on Sunday to continue to share the team lead in minutes played with 570. All three of them have played in each minute so far this season.

• The game was intensely physical, which included three yellow cards and 28 combined team fouls.

• With the victory, Colgate wrapped up their season long four-game homestand with a 2-1-1 mark.

From the Source Head Coach Kathy Brawn "It wasn't just about our starting 11, it was about everyone coming together and pushing through," said Brawn. "We started the game better than we've started some and that was one of our goals today. And playing a team like Syracuse pushes us in a good way and the team responded well to that." "Each game, we're finding out more about us and finding more good things," said Brawn. "This is another step in that direction. It's really nice to find it after a win and this gives us nice momentum heading into the Patriot League." Junior Forward Abby Sotomayor "It just shows that we have something to prove," said Sotomayor on the team's recent success against Syracuse. "We want to be recognized and we want the Patriot League to be recognized nationally and we deserve more respect than we get." "The last couple of games we had been building," said Sotomayor on the team's offensive play. "We've been getting the ball more in our attacking end of the field in the past couple games and this game was all about finishing and getting to goal." Up Next

• Colgate opens up Patriot League play on Saturday evening when they'll visit Loyola in Baltimore, Md.

• The Greyhounds are 3-4 after they knocked off Mount St. Mary's 1-0 on Sunday afternoon in Newburgh, N.Y.

• Kickoff is set for 5 p.m.

P