No. 3 Colorado College fell to the top-ranked team in the nation, No. 1 Mary Washington, 1-0. The difference on Saturday night in Newport News, VA, was a second-half goal by the Eagles that found the back of the net via a second-change opportunity.
The Tigers were neck-and-neck with the Eagles the entire game, which showed on the stat sheet. CC had eight shots to UMW's 10, and the Tigers had only one less on goal.
"I thought we competed really well tonight but our tired legs showed in the second half. Mary Washington are an excellent team," head coach
Scott Palguta said. "They're organized, athletic, and experienced; if you take a play off, they will hurt you. We were outstanding defensively but lacked the pop needed in attack to pull a goal back."
Sophomore
Jack Hilliard led the team with three shots;
Alexander Ward,
Wyatt Linggi and
Dylan Rich had shots on net.
The first half was a stalemate through and through. Both teams got off three shots, but none significantly threatened the 0-0 tie.
It was the first time the Eagles had been shut out all season in the first half.
At the start of the second, both teams increased their attack volume. The Tigers fired five more shots. The Eagles finally broke the tie in the 52nd minute after Goalkeeper
Alex Wolter made an initial save, but Sammy Amorose was there for the ricochet, putting the Eagles up 1-0.
CC's offense tried to respond for the remainder of the game.
Alex Meyerhoff,
Teddy Opler and Hilliard got off shots, but a stacked box for the Eagles prevented an equalizer.
Time eventually expired, and the Tigers ultimately fell 1-0 and suffered their first hoff of the season. CC enters conference play with a 5-1-2 record, its best mark entering SCAC play since the 2021 season (3-1-0).
"Overall this trip was a tremendous experience for our group and will strengthen us as we prepare for league play next week," Palguta said.
St. Thomas (TX) visits Stewart Field on Saturday, Sept. 28, at 4 p.m. to kick off conference play. The Tigers aim to repeat as conference champions. Last season, they went a perfect 8-0-0 against SCAC opponents.
