HAMILTON - The Raiders opened their 2025 season with a hard fought 1-1 draw against the University at Buffalo on Sunday afternoon at Beyer-Small '76 Field.

COACH HOKANSON'S COMMENTS
"Very proud of a hard fought result against a very strong Buffalo side. It was tough to concede so close to half and give them momentum going into the second half but I loved our players' response and determination to find the equalizer. Fun moment for our first year, Jess, to pick up such an important goal for us in a critical moment, that will be big for her confidence moving into the start of her career. I thought our defending today was at a standard that we needed, physical and disciplined with some moments of very good emergency work from our goalkeepers and backs. Overall I am really pleased with a very difficult point to open up non-conference and look forward to another great test this Thursday at home."

HOW IT HAPPENED

• Ella Poppinga made a handful of critical saves in the opening 20 minutes including a point-blank effort that was parried away for a corner kick.
• Bianca Howitt and Ari Bezanson each fired shots in the first half that were not enough to beat the Buffalo goalkeeper.
• The Bulls took a 1-0 lead into the halftime break after capitalizing on a shot just inside the box with one minute remaining in the first half.
• Jess Urena blasted the Raiders first goal of the season into the top left corner off a dish from Bezanson with 30 minutes left in the match.
• Bezanson picked up a loose ball and found the foot of Urena who wasted no time finding the nylon and knotting the match at one apiece.
• Colgate's defense held strong and Poppinga came up with another big stop on a free kick with less than 10 minutes to go in the game.
• Lydia Thornton and Bezanson each had shots saved in the remaining minutes, and the match finished in a 1-1 draw.

GAME NOTES

• Urena scored her first collegiate goal and earned her first career start
• Molly Richards earned her first career collegiate start
• Poppinga finished with six saves in the match

UP NEXT
Colgate (0-0-1) stays in Hamilton for another non-conference home match. The Raiders will host Marist on Thursday evening with kickoff set for 6 p.m.