Being ranked higher does not guarantee anything in sports and soccer is not the exception. The men’s soccer team proved this last night at Hamilton, N.Y., where it defeated No. 24 Colgate University, 2-0.
Cornell (4-3-4, 0-1-1 Ivy), came into this contest after playing its first two Ivy League matches of the season –– a 1-0 loss to No. 17 Penn (9-2-0, 2-0-0 Ivy) and a 1-1 tie against Harvard (4-3-4, 1-0-1 Ivy). Both games had late-drama fashion, as the Red lost when it conceded a goal in the 89th minute to the Quakers and tied the Crimson when junior forward Chase Aaronson scored a goal in the last minutes of the game.
The game against Colgate (6-3-3, 3-0-0 Patriot) provided Cornell with an opportunity to take a break from the competitive Ivy League. However, it did not mean the Red was going to have an easy game. Cornell faced for the first time in the season a nationally ranked opponent in Colgate ––which is also ranked No. 1 in its region.
The Red’s high-tempo and high-pressure offense struck early in the game when junior forward Franck Onambele scored with a header assisted by junior midfielder Jimmy Lannon.
After Cornell’s goal, Colgate’s offense dominated possession and took advantage from controlling the ball by producing three shots on goal, each of which was saved by sophomore goalkeeper Rick Pflasterer. It is worthy to mention that Pflasterer has been a substantial part of the Red’s defense. He is ranked No. 53 and No. 86 in the nation in goals-against average and save percentage, respectively.
The Red eventually marked its second goal of the match when junior forward Will Ogden scored in a scramble in front of the goal. The first half finished with only two shots on goal for Cornell, however, they were both converted and eventually led the team to its fourth victory of the season.
The second half saw a strong defensive performance by the Red, as it only allowed one shot on target, which Pflasterer saved to obtain his third shutout of the season. During this period, Colgate also felt pressure from Cornell’s offense –– which had the last clear scoring chance of the match when senior midfielder Scott Caldwell hit the post in the 85th minute.