Sept. 10, 2010
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One of the Siena men's soccer team goals for this season was to win every home game. You can scratch that off the list. Matt Schuber's tally in the 106th minute was the difference as Colgate handed Siena its second straight double-overtime loss, a 2-1 setback Friday in Loudonville.
Siena (1-2) out-played Colgate (2-0-1) for much of its home opener, but as is often the case in this game, a couple mental lapses were the difference. The Raiders improved to 12-0-1 all-time in the lopsided series with the Saints.
"I'm disappointed," head coach Gareth Elliott said after the loss. "I thought we fell asleep the first 15 minutes. They got on the board early, and it's bad to play from behind."
Jeff Leach got the Raiders going in the second minute, finishing a well-placed feed from Schuber into the right side of the net. Leach cut through two defenders as Schuber's cross arrived and raced unguarded toward the Siena goal. It was the first of two critical defensive miscues.
The Colgate lead stood until the 81st minute when Emery Welshman capped off a nice rally with a smart touch. Joey Tavernese settled an entry pass and promptly led Welshman on a useful run for the equalizer.
Welshman had been a game-time decision after injuring his ankle in the Sacred Heart loss. Elliott waited until the last possible moment before deciding to go with the reigning MAAC Rookie of the Year. It proved to be the right choice as Welshman played all 106 minutes, and in fact emerged as the most skilled player on the pitch.
"I thought we played better as the game advanced," Elliott said. "Once we got the equalizer, I felt we could push forward. But we learned a harsh lesson."
It was a lesson Elliott wished had been learned after the first Colgate score. One he attributed to Siena's young backline.
The winning score came midway through the second overtime as Colgate countered a deep throw-in with an odd-man rush that Siena failed to recognize. George McFarlin led the breakaway and opted for Schuber on the right side. Schuber beat his defender and then paused to compose himself before delivering the decisive blow. His golden shot ricocheted off keeper Phil Chabot into the net.
As Colgate celebrated the win, Siena players fell to the turf in dismay and the opening day crowd quickly made their way to the exits.
The Saints travel to play crosstown rival UAlbany Wednesday at University Field.
