Colgate posts back-to-back shutouts on gridiron

Opportunistic. Efficient. Still undefeated. Oh, and back-to-back shutouts for the first time in 52 years.

No. 23 Colgate keep the defensive intensity turned up and the Raider offense took advantage of William& Mary miscues to post a 23-0 victory here Saturday night.

It’s the first back-to-back Colgate shutouts since the opening two games of the 1966 season. And the Raiders extended their scoreless quarters streak to 10 since New Hampshire squeezed out a field goal back on Sept. 8.

The Raiders also extended their

winning streak to nine for the first time since the magical 2003 NCAA title-game run.

Colgate’s scoring came on a pair of 1-yard TD runs – by Alex Mathews in the first quarter and James Holland Jr., in the third – bookended around three Chris Puzzi field goals. Puzzi connected from 26 and 25 yards before booming one through the uprights from 47 for a career-long.

Colgate led 16-0 at halftime, increasing its firsthalf scoring advantage over four games this season to 83-3. The Raiders then took the second-half kickoff and marched 75 yards in 10 plays, capped by Holland’s 1-yard run.

Colgate Men’s Soccer

After scoring his second goal of the season on the road at Syracuse, Ryan Krueger of the Colgate men’s soccer team has been named Patriot League Rookie of the Week, announced Monday by the league office.

Krueger’s second career tally led the Raiders to a 1-1 double-overtime draw at the Orange last Monday. He broke a scoreless draw in the 69th minute with a strong offensive play inside the box. Krueger won a battle in front and sent a header off the crossbar, but the rebound ricocheted back to him for the late goahead goal.

The first-year also took two corner kicks and finished with three shots, including one that slipped just wide in the final minutes of double overtime.

This is the second time Krueger has been named Patriot League Rookie of the Week this season. He earned the honor after netting the game-winning goal in overtime against Albany on Aug. 27.

Colgate (5-1- 4, 1- 0-1 Patriot League) is back in action on Wednesday for a league matchup at Lehigh. Kickoff from Bethlehem, Pa., is set for 7 p.m.

Morrisville State Football

Morrisville State made a final push in the fourth quarter to overcome the second half lead visiting Alfred University established, but fell short on one play as the Saxons claimed a 27-22 Empire 8 final on Drake Field in Morrisville.

Mustang quarterback Brandon Gwinner (Schenectady, N.Y.) was 20-for38 for 228 yards and two touchdowns, adding 84 yards in the running game for a touchdown.

Junior safety, Michael Bodnar (Miller Place, N.Y.) registered a collegiate high 17 stops in the defensive efforts for the Mustangs, 10 solo, while recording a tackle for a loss of four yards.

Morrisville State (2-2, 0-1) heads to Cortland next Saturday for a noon Empire 8 kick off.

After scoring his second goal of the season on the road at Syracuse, Ryan Krueger of the Colgate men’s soccer team has been named Patriot League Rookie of the Week, announced Monday by the league office. Krueger’s second career tally led the Raiders to a 1-1 double-overtime draw at the Orange last Monday. He broke a scoreless draw in the 69th minute with a strong offensive play inside the box. Krueger won a battle in front and sent a header off the crossbar, but the rebound ricocheted back to him for the late go-ahead goal. The first-year also took two corner kicks and finished with three shots, including one that slipped just wide in the final minutes of double overtime. This is the second time Krueger has been named Patriot League Rookie of the Week this season. He earned the honor after netting the game-winning goal in overtime against Albany on Aug. 27. Colgate (5-14, 1- 0-1 Patriot League) is back in action on Wednesday for a league matchup at Lehigh. Kickoff from Bethlehem, Pa., is set for 7 p.m.