HAMILTON – The Colgate women's soccer team opens up its season Sunday afternoon at home against Buffalo. Kickoff is set for 1 p.m. from Beyer-Small '76 Field. 

The Raiders look to build off of last season's Patriot League tournament appearance. While the past few years have not gone quite according to plan, head coach Lyndse Hokanson believes the team's past shortcomings will be one of their greatest strengths moving forward.

"It helps that we have a senior group who, candidly, has seen what works and what doesn't work."

The lessons from past seasons will be a key to Colgate's success. The team wants to focus on the process, rather than being caught up with what's to come.

"You don't get to be a champion and then build habits," Hokanson said. "You have to build championship habits to give yourself a chance."

During a challenging non-conference schedule, they will learn how to play in competitive games full of pressure. Even in defeats, coach Hokanson believes there will be lessons to carry into conference games towards the end of the season. 

"Maybe if we don't win against Cornell because of 'X', we do that in a game against Lehigh and we win," she said. 

The returning seniors will look to be a driving force for the Raiders. Midfielder Ari Bezanson and forward Ellie Stokes accounted for most of the team's offensive production in 2024. Bezanson's 14 goals led the team, with Stokes coming in second with three. Coach Hokanson is challenging the rest of her team to be more threatening going forward. 

"We need to make sure that we have a diverse enough attack that they have to account for other players," she said. "We have to make sure we're doing enough that teams can't abandon all else to defend [Bezanson]." 
 

Key Returners

Ari Bezanson, Midfielder
2024 stats: 14 goals, 1 assist, 29 points

• Bezanson is one of the top returning players in the Patriot League. She was named First Team All-Patriot League last season, and also made the preseason team coming into this season.
• Much like last season, the Raider attack is set to run through Bezanson. However, Colgate is looking to diversify their offense as teams continue to hone in on their star.
• "I can think back to our game against opponents last year … she scores, and the opposing coaches  lose their minds," Hokanson said. "One of the key focuses on every team's scout, I'm sure, is to not let 6 shoot."
• Colgate's single-season goal scoring record of 18 has stood since 2003. After scoring 14 goals last season, Bezanson has her sights set on hitting that 18-goal mark. She is looking to cement herself as one of the most prolific goalscorers in school history. 
• 
  "I know there's an all-time scoring list which has been more on my eye," she said. "Breaking and getting into that and really getting my name in."

Ellie Stokes, Forward
2024 stats: 3 goals, 6 assists, 12 points

• Stokes could be Colgate's X-factor. The dynamic winger led the team in assists last season with six. Five were on goals scored by Bezanson. While Stokes wants to continue notching assists, she is aiming to add more goals this season.
• "When I do get a chance to score, I'm working on my accuracy and cutting in to get my shot off quicker," she said. "I kind of touch and touch, waiting for the perfect shot, instead of just hitting the ball."
• Stokes was named Second Team All-Patriot League last season, and is looking to finish this season on the First Team. She has been a standout in practices so far, and could achieve her goal if she can translate her quality onto the field during games. 

Nikki DiCaprio, Defender
2024 stats: 2 assists, 2 points, 1598 minutes

• DiCaprio played 90 minutes in all but one appearance last season. She looks to be a rock on the team's backline. DiCaprio, Bezanson, and Stokes are the three captains, but the defender is the Raiders' vocal leader.
• "Nikki is obviously way more vocal than both of us," Stokes said. 
• DiCaprio has been a three-year starter at Colgate. She has made 54 appearances in her career. All of them have been starts. She has led the team in minutes each of the past two seasons. 

Preseason Poll1. Boston University
2. Army West Point
3. Bucknell
4. Navy
5. Loyola Maryland
6. Colgate
7. Lafayette
t-8. Holy Cross
t-8. Lehigh
10. American