The men’s soccer team mustered another scoreless draw, its third of the season, in a 0-0 Saturday afternoon clash against Colgate University.
The Leopards (0-1-2 Patriot League, 3-5-3 overall) struggled to find their footing offensively against the Raiders (0-1-2 Patriot League, 4-3-3 overall), with their first shot attempt coming after 20 minutes of game time from junior midfielder Samir Dishnica’s first of three.
Dishnica drew his second shot of the day later in the first half, again not reaching the back of the net. Although the Raiders amped up the offensive attack, senior goalkeeper Eric Axtman hung tough in goal, including a calmly collected Colgate bicycle kick attempt, as the Maroon and White went into the locker room.
“Kudos to our defense,” Axtman said, calling his unit “one of the better” in the league.
At halftime, Gummeson Grounds remained busy, honoring the 1994 and 1995 Lafayette men’s soccer teams. Axtman said that it was great to take “tidbits” from the back-to-back Patriot League champions, who preached a “wheelbarrow mentality.”
“Successful teams have everyone buying in, everyone being that wheelbarrow,” Axtman said. “Everyone’s buying in and everyone’s trusting the system being together.”
Opening the second half, the Maroon and White managed to dial up the intensity with a burst of offensive action. In between a sequence of Leopard shot attempts, sophomore midfielder Cade Maglione danced around the defense in transition with a gorgeous spin move and pushed the ball upfield, but the offense could not quite convert.
“I’m happy with myself getting forward and making stuff happen, but I think sometimes making the right decision, making different decisions, putting my teammates in a better spot to finish,” Maglione said.
Shortly afterwards, the Leopards drew a corner kick that was popped up in the air, headed up, then headed towards the goal by senior defender Nicholas Liebich — but his shot was too high.
It was then the Raiders’ chance to return the favor with their own offensive burst. Axtman easily handled one shot-on-goal, but his get-ahead was cut short as the Raiders intercepted the Leopards’ advance. Colgate had Axtman isolated as the last line of defense, but the shot attempt was wide right.
“We’re gonna be under periods of stress when the teams are attacking us, but being able to get through those and pushing the ball and making things happen,” Dishnica said.
The Raiders’ offensive pressure remained a problem for the Leopards down the stretch, but Axtman continued to collect saves en route to the shutout. The closest call came in the 78th minute, as Axtman deflected a shot-on-goal with his foot, but the deflected ball ricocheted, bouncing off a Leopard’s chest before Axtman eventually collected another save.
“Half the battle is making saves, distribution, but the other half is making sure you’re staying focused the entire game,” Axtman said.
Although junior forward Roy Biegon registered a shot attempt in the closing minutes, it was a fruitless effort for the Maroon and White, who closed the game out 0-0, failing to pick up their first Patriot League win of the season.
“We need a lot more motivation, a lot more hunger,” Dishnica said.
The Leopards return home to do battle with American University (3-0 Patriot League, 4-4-1 overall) on Saturday.
“I think our set pieces are what we’ve been focusing on,” Maglione said of the team’s offensive outlook moving forward. “Our corners and direct kicks, we’re just trying to get that last flick, that last header on, and we’re gonna keep putting them in until one of them falls.”