Box Score (PDF)

HAMILTON, N.Y. – The men's soccer team used three second half goals, including a penalty kick conversion from senior Jack Ferguson in the 87th minute, to top regional foe Colgate, 3-2, on Tuesday night in Hamilton.

Colgate (8-4-0) controlled the play in the early going and tested the Cornell (1-9-2) defense in the 14th minute when an open Uyiosa Omorogbe was fed near the penalty spot but freshman goalkeeper Ryan Shellow anticipated the play and was there to make the save on the close-range shot. Just two minutes later, Shellow made an athletic, out-stretched save to his right when a free kick was deflected towards the net.

The deadlock was broken in the 26th minute after Omorogbe got a ball near midfield and ate up 25 yards of field towards the Cornell goal before slotting a ball through a tight window to Zach Pagani, who was able to loft the ball over a charging Shellow for a 1-0 lead that would hold until the break.

The Big Red offense began to shift momentum and maintain possession 10 minutes into the second half with inspired play.

Junior Jonathan Cullom nearly found the equalizer minutes into the second half when he was able to beat the defender to the near post for a header off of a free kick but the ball went inches wide of the far post.

It was Cullom that helped set up the equalizer in the 56th minute. Cullom carried the ball down the left flank, drawing six Colgate defenders with him and alertly slotted the ball back to freshman Brady Dickens in the middle of the field near the top of the box. Dickens in turn switched the ball to the right side of the box to sophomore Ryan Watters who took a one-time shot into the top left of the net to tie the game, 1-1.

With momentum in its favor, the Big Red found a lead in the 59th minute when freshman George Pedlow broke down the left flank and cut into the box and fired a hard, knuckling shot that Ricky Brown was unable to control and Cullom charged in and tapped home the rebound.

The Raiders answered back just one minute later when Jared Stroud was fed in the middle of the box and lofted a shot over Shellow to tie the game at 2-2.

The game seemed destined for overtime when Colgate was called for a foul inside the box and Cornell was awarded a penalty kick. Senior Jack Ferguson calmly stepped up to the spot and beat the keeper to the left side of the net for the 3-2 lead..

The Big Red kept the Raider offense at bay for the remainder of the game to give head coach John Smith his first career win at Cornell.

Shellow finished with four saves to Brown's three. Both teams took eight shots, with three of Cornell's coming from Cullom. 

Cornell will return to Ivy League play on Sunday when it welcomes Yale to Berman Field.