November 3, 2000

West Point, N.Y. – The Army men’s soccer team kept its Patriot League playoff hopes alive by defeating Colgate University in a 2-1 victory this Friday night at Clinton Field.  

Also needing a win in their final contest, the Red Raiders’ late season playoff push came to a halt with the defeat.

The Black Knights (5-11-1, 3-3 Patriot League) managed to pull out the victory on a late second half goal with 8:11 remaining when sophomore midfielder Nick Trotta drilled the game-winning tally into the top right corner.  Trotta took advantage of a loose ball rebound in the goalie’s box after Colgate goalie Will Martin broke up Army’s indirect kick on the previous play.

With the dramatic win, Army looks to Bucknell, who needs to defeat Lehigh tomorrow in order for the Cadets from West Point to sneak in as the fourth seed of the Patriot League tournament. The game will be played in Bethlehem, P.A. at 1 p.m.

Less than a minute before the deciding goal, Martin entered the game after starting goalie Jon Brunell was forced out due to injury after a prior collision with Trotta.  Martin, due to untimely circumstances, never received the proper warm-up time and was placed in a crucial spot late in the game.  Trotta’s marker proved to be the only shot Martin would face as he finished with zero saves, while Brunell had two on the night

Ironically, Army’s other goal came in the waning seconds of the first half when forward Tim Crook headed in teammate James Glaze’s indirect kick with six seconds left on the clock giving the Black Knights the 1-0 halftime advantage.  Glaze was allowed the free kick just outside the penalty box after Colgate defender Josh Viel took down Glaze on a breakaway down the left side of the field.  Viel received a yellow card on the play.

Colgate came out on the offensive early in the second half when Red Raider co-captain Conor Harrison passed up on Brendan Skoniecki’s pass across the middle giving the crossing Tim Gerges the clear shot at the ball.  Gerges used Harrison’s screen to beat Army goalie Kevin Larrabee in the 52^nd minute of play tying the score at 1-1. That would be Larrabee’s only error as he recorded six saves on the night, deterring Colgate’s offensive attack.  Skonieczki, Colgate’s all-time assist leader, was awarded the assist on the goal.

Following Gerges’s goal, the Red Raiders responded with several quality scoring chances but unfortunately could not muster the final touch.  Colgate seemingly ran out of gas and Army took advantage of the weary Colgate assault late in the second half. 

“I thought we played exceptionally well, especially in the second half,” Colgate head coach Mike Doherty commented.  “We had several chances, but we did not get it done, and unfortunately it came back to hurt us in the end.”

Colgate ended the season with an overall record of 7-10-1, while attaining a 1-4-1 mark in Patriot League action.