Aidan Davock has scored several huge goals throughout his career with the Raiders.

For Aidan Davock ’24, it was all worth the wait. 

He arrived at Colgate from his hometown in Medway, Mass., in the summer of 2020, ready for the opportunity to play D-I soccer while earning a college degree. His goals were to make an impact with the team and help the Raiders win games.

But that’s not how it would go, at least not right away.

The pandemic wiped out much of his first season. When he returned as a sophomore, he broke his ankle at the start of the season, forcing him to miss an entire calendar year as he encountered setbacks.

While his foot was in a boot, he did his best to support the team from the sideline, only to watch the Raiders play an entire season without a win. 

Heading into the offseason, knowing things had to change after going 0-18, the program underwent significant changes, and everyone in maroon-and-white vowed to be better — Davock included. 

After daily sessions of rehabilitation and physical therapy, along with training to remain in tiptop shape, Davock entered his junior season healthy, his stubborn injury finally behind him, and eager to prove he could help the Raiders turn the program around.

It didn’t take long to see results. In the first game of the 2022 season, Colgate stunned No. 16 Providence with a 3-2 road win. The Raiders went on to finish 7-4-7 for the season, earning a trip to the playoffs. 

Davock played 55 minutes in the first game. It was an encouraging start, with Davock’s ankle showing no signs of trouble. 

A few days later, in a home game against Marist, Davock made his presence felt when he scored the lone Raiders’ goal in a 1-1 tie. It would be his first of five goals on the season. 

“It was amazing,” Davock said of returning after a year-long injury. “The Providence game was awesome. First game back after going 0-18 and knocking off a ranked opponent — that was storybook almost.

“I was able to help out with a few goals that season. It was a great turnaround.”

The 2022 season came with yet another special moment, when Colgate on Oct. 11 defeated No. 22 Cornell, 1-0. It was the first Raiders’ first win over their interstate rivals since 2008. Davock scored the lone goal.

It was a remarkable season for the program — and for Davock. It was redemption and proof that hard work paid off. 

But for Davock, the best was yet to come.

In his senior year, he was named a co-captain, and went on to lead the Raiders in goals with seven while resuming his role as a hero.

The Raiders advanced to the conference playoffs for a second consecutive season, and earned a showdown with a rival in Navy. Colgate won 2-0, with Davock recording both goals. 

The victory gave Colgate its first playoff win since 2018. It was also one of Davock’s proudest moments as a soccer player, made even more special after the struggles he had to overcome. 

“As a captain of the team, and someone who has been through the ups and downs of the program, I experienced everything you probably can,” he said. 

“To beat Navy and get two goals on them, it’s one of my fondest memories, not just at Colgate but as a soccer player in general,” he said.

While Colgate’s season ended in a defeat to Boston University in the semifinals, there was still much to be proud about. 

Davock praised his team for fighting through a season that included a five-game winless streak. Rather than lose hope, the team made adjustments and persevered. They earned several crucial wins through gritty performances, capturing another playoff berth. 

“Mid-season, we could have given up and accepted where we were going to be. But we turned it around. We started playing new formations, and played as a team, and it really paid off,” Davock said.

As Davock helped the Raiders on the field, he also made the best of his academic experience. He’s a political science major who got hooked on the subject after taking a course that focused on the workings of Congress early in his academic career. 

Colgate’s emphasis on liberal arts has exposed him to courses in a multitude of challenging topics, including geography and environmental science, both of which not only tested him, but were enlightening. 

Even courses that were not related to political science made him realize the impact government policies could have on all subjects. 

“There are so many ways for me to find new interests through having to take required classes,” he said. “Colgate introduces you to new opportunities and explorations that I really benefited from.”

He’s a member of the campus Consulting Club, which invites former students to talk about their careers and provide information on landing internships. 

Davock said he also wants to join PetPals, a campus group that helps animals at shelters. He’s long had an interest in dogs, and sees himself helping shelters after he graduates from Colgate. 

While Davock is still figuring out his future, he wants to play a fifth year of soccer and explore a career in consulting. 

Davock said he’s loved his time at Colgate and is pleased with all he’s achieved on the field.

“I’ve been through all the ups and downs with the program. But nothing bad to say during my time here. I’ve made some of the best friendships here, friendships I”ll have for a long time to come.”