WORCESTER, Mass. – The Holy Cross men’s soccer team lost to Patriot League foe Colgate on a penalty kick late in the second half, dropping a 1-0 decision at the Linda Johnson Smith Soccer Stadium. With the loss, Holy Cross moves to a record of 1-8-2 (0-3-0 Patriot League) on the season while the Raiders improve to 7-2-2 (1-1-1 PL). Junior goalkeeper Evan Polanik (Holliston, Mass.) made four saves in the game on the five shots on-goal taken by the Raiders.

The Crusaders and Raiders played tough defense for the first 45 minutes of action, heading into the halftime scoreless. Colgate held a 5-3 shots edge with one two shots on-goal as junior netminder Evan Polanik (Holliston, Mass.) made two saves. The teams remained in a defensive battle through the first 20 minutes of the second half as Colgate saw its best opportunity to score around the 25 minute mark when junior Raider Mike Reidy ricocheted his shot off the left post and out of play.

The defensive front got the best of Holy Cross later in the game as a tackle in the box gave the Raiders a penalty shot opportunity. Reidy took the shot and put it past Polanik to give Colgate a 1-0 lead at 73:48.The Crusaders rallied for three final shots in the half, but all sailed wide as Colgate escaped with the 1-0 win over Holy Cross.

Polanik finished with the losing decision, going to 0-3-0 on the season. Colgate goalkeeper, Grant Reed, finished the game with no saves and collects a record of 6-2-2, also earning his fifth shutout of the season. The Raiders totaled 12 shots while the Crusaders had seven total shooting opportunities. Sophomores Monty Sanders (Temecula, Calif.) and Josh Cintas (San Diego, Calif.) led the squad with two shots taken each.

Holy Cross continues Patriot League action next weekend, traveling to Bucknell on Saturday, Oct. 15. Game time is set for 1:00 p.m. at Emmitt Field in Lewisburg, Pa.