This past Saturday, men’s and women’s soccer faced Connecticut College for their senior day. The crowd was packed with parents, students, and fans who came out to support the Mules on Homecoming Weekend.
The women’s team hasn’t won against the Camels since 2012, and the men’s team hasn’t beaten them in their last ten matchups.
The women’s team kicked off at 11 am.
The Camels were aggressive early on. In the opening 15 minutes, the visitors earned five corner kicks and tallied five shots, but each attempt was unsuccessful.
In minute 31 when the Camels came through on the scoreboard. Just inside the Mules’ penalty area, the opponent dribbled into the box and fired a shot that landed in the top-right corner of the goal, past the outstretched arms of keeper MK Marshall ’26. This put the Camels up 1–0.
The Mules’ defense held on for the rest of the half, not allowing the visitors to score.
Following halftime, the Mules threatened throughout the rest of play but Conn. was able to capitalize once again in the 64th minute. Off of a Mules turnover near midfield, Conn. players made good passes to set up a one-on-one with the keeper, and they found the back of the net, extending the score to 2–0.
The Mules’ continued to attack throughout the second half, putting up five shots, three on target, but could not find the back of the net.
All seven of the Mules’ shots came from different players, including three seniors– Maddie Fisher `23, Sophie Webb `23, and Kerrie Verbeek `23 all played an important role in the match.
The men’s team followed this game with a tough battle at 2 pm.
They came into the afternoon match with seven draws in their previous nine contests and they looked to earn their first conference win versus a strong Conn. team.
The first half was scoreless, with Conn. holding a 10–3 advantage in shots, and having five corner kicks. The Mules were playing aggressively and punishing Conn. players every time they tried to get close to the goal. The Mules’ physicality resulted in them committing ten fouls and two yellow cards.
After the half ended, Colby kept their aggressive play and soon took advantage of their chances in the 59th minute. Mules’ forward Ethan Franco ’23 cut into the Conn. box and took a shot that rebounded off the goalpost. The ball bounced in front of the net to Ethan Fabricant `23 who put it in the back of the net to give Colby the lone goal of the game.
The Camels made some substitutions after allowing the goal, but it wasn’t enough to stop the confidence of the Mules, who kept the pressure on the Conn. defense.
Throughout play, Conn. had more opportunities on offense to even the game, but the Mules’ physicality wore out their opponents. Many times the visitors drove down the field but had too few players willing to sprint on offense to capitalize on their attacks.
Emotions flared as Conn. players and fans grew frustrated with the Mules’ style of play. On the other hand, Colby players utilized the game clock and did their best to try and wind down the time.
The Conn. Camels had many good shots on goal, but Colby keeper Matt Morin `23 was electric with a season-record seven saves. He was flying out of the goal to make defensive stops and willing the Mules to victory.
In the last eight minutes, a Conn. attacker got behind the Mules’ defense and almost had a clear shot at the goal, but a defender made a score-saving block at the last moment.
The Mules held on to win 1-0 and tallied their first NESCAC win of the season against the defending conference champions.
~ Julian Cangieter-Hernandez `25
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