WASHINGTON, D.C. – And it all came down to penalty kicks. At the end of regulation, third seed Colgate and first seed American were still tied 1-1, but it was the Raiders who came out on top in the penalty kicks 5-4 on Sunday at Reeves Field in Washington, D.C. Two final saves by senior goalkeeper Ricky Brown led to be crowned the 2016 Patriot League Men’s Soccer Champions. Colgate captures its sixth tournament title and improves to 5-0-1 record in the championship game. The Raiders receive the League’s automatic bid to the NCAA Men’s Soccer Tournament.
 
It was senior forward and tournament Most Valuable Player Ethan Kutler who scored his Patriot League record-setting fifth goal of the tournament with 34:15 left in regulation to give Colgate a 1-0 lead. Sophomore defender Aram Ouligian drew a penalty inside the box to set Kutler up to take the kick.
 
At 74:51, senior defender Chris Fanet scored the equalizer for the Eagles, who finished the second half with an 11-6 shot advantage over the Raiders.
 
Neither team found the back of the net through two overtime periods, and the teams prepared for the shootout.
 
Both squads converted a pair before American’s freshman goalkeeper Will McCreight made a stop on senior midfielder Colin O’Neill’s attempt. The Eagles then took the 3-2 advantage when junior forward Garrett Muzikowski got one past Colgate senior keeper Ricky Brown.
 
Down 4-3, Brown stepped up to take the fifth penalty kick for the Raiders. With a few stuttered steps, he faked out his opposition and slid one past McCreight. The senior stopped freshman midfielder Max Holdsworth’s shot before Colgate sophomore midfielder Oliver Harris converted his to give the Raiders a 5-4 advantage.
 
Patriot League Midfielder of the Year Dale Ludwig stepped up to keep American’s hope alive, but Brown made a diving save to deny the Eagles and crown the Raiders champions.
 
Colgate makes its sixth NCAA Men’s Soccer Tournament appearance and will learn its opponent on Monday during the selection show at 1 p.m.
 
All-Tournament Team
MVP - Ethan Kutler, Colgate
Ricky Brown, Colgate
Jared Stroud, Colgate
Zach Tamen, Colgate
Michael Cherry, American
Jake Garcia, American
Panos Nakhid, American
Brian Saramago, Loyola Maryland
Barry Sharifi, Loyola Maryland
Sebastiaan Blickman, Bucknell
Ryan Ott, Bucknell