Army Women’s Soccer Advances to Patriot League Semifinals with Dramatic 2-1 Victory Over Colgate

Brigid Duffy and Sophia Henry deliver clutch goals as No. 3 seed Black Knights survive late Colgate surge to reach conference semifinals

Hamilton, N.Y. – In a tense Patriot League Quarterfinal that came down to the final seconds, No. 3 seed Army West Point women’s soccer held off a furious late rally by No. 6 seed Colgate to secure a 2-1 victory and advance to the conference semifinals.

Senior midfielder Brigid Duffy and freshman forward Sophia Henry—the Patriot League’s Offensive Player of the Year and Rookie of the Year, respectively—delivered the goals that propelled the Black Knights to victory. But it was Colgate’s Ari Bezanson who nearly stole the show with a dramatic goal in the 89th minute that made the final moments heart-stopping for the home crowd.

First Half: Duffy Strikes Early

Army wasted no time asserting itself in the opening period. The Black Knights controlled possession and created quality scoring chances, outshooting Colgate 5-2 in the first half with two shots on goal.

Brigid Duffy, who led the nation in game-winning goals during the regular season with seven, added another clutch performance to her résumé. The senior from Queensbury, N.Y., found the back of the net to give Army a 1-0 lead heading into halftime.

“My teammate, Sabrina Rogers, and I were pressing their back line, and forced them to make a bad pass. I was able to jump it, take a touch, and dribble in. Once I got in front of goal, I just focused on staying composed and finishing it. As soon as it went in, it was an incredible feeling. But what made it even better was celebrating with the team right after,” Duffy said after the match.

Duffy’s goal was her 14th of the season, extending her conference-leading total and demonstrating once again why she earned Patriot League Offensive Player of the Year honors. The strike came off six shots in the match, showcasing her relentless attacking mentality.

Sophomore midfielder Bella Conti, who earned Second Team All-Patriot League honors, recorded the assist on Duffy’s goal—her eighth of the season. Despite missing the first month due to injury, Conti has been instrumental in Army’s success, and her vision and playmaking ability were on full display.

Head Coach Tracy Chao emphasized the importance of capitalizing on opportunities in the attacking third.

“The keys were for us to capitalize on our chances and create as many chances as possible, which I thought we did a good job with the number of times we were able to get inside the box,” Chao said after the match.

Army’s ability to generate dangerous chances in the box proved to be the difference, as the Black Knights made the most of their limited shots on goal.

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Second Half: Henry Extends Lead

Army came out of halftime determined to extend its advantage. The Black Knights ramped up the offensive pressure in the second period, firing eight shots compared to just five in the first half.

In the 48th minute, freshman sensation Sophia Henry delivered the insurance goal that appeared to seal the victory for Army. The Springfield, Va., native—who broke the single-season Patriot League Rookie of the Week record with six selections—scored her 10th goal of the season to make it 2-0.

Henry’s goal came off two shots in the match, and it was a testament to her composure and finishing ability in high-pressure postseason moments. The Rookie of the Year has been a revelation for Army all season, and her ability to perform on the biggest stage has made her one of the most exciting young players in the conference.

The Black Knights appeared to be cruising to a comfortable victory as the clock ticked down, but Colgate had other plans.

Late Drama: Bezanson Nearly Forces Overtime

With time running out and their season on the line, Colgate mounted a desperate final push. In the 89th minute, senior midfielder Ari Bezanson—a First Team All-Patriot League selection and the conference’s Midfielder of the Year—struck with a low left-footed shot that beat Army goalkeeper Kaitlyn Dail to make it 2-1.

The goal sent shockwaves through the stadium and gave Colgate a glimmer of hope. Bezanson, who fired six shots in the match with three on goal, had been a constant threat all game, and her late strike nearly forced overtime.

Colgate won the ensuing kickoff and had one final chance to equalize, but Army’s defense—anchored by First Team All-Patriot League defender Jordan Follenweider and sophomore Third Team selection Daisy West—held firm in the final seconds to preserve the victory.

For Coach Chao, the late scare was a reminder that in soccer, nothing is certain until the final whistle.

“In our game it’s never until the final whistle. You just never know so you have to play until the final whistle blows,”Chao said, reflecting on the tense final moments.

The Black Knights’ ability to maintain composure and see out the match despite Colgate’s late push demonstrated the mental toughness that has defined Army’s season.

Defensive Battle: Goalkeepers Shine

The match was a defensive struggle, with both goalkeepers making critical saves to keep their teams in the game.

Army’s Kaitlyn Dail faced a barrage of shots, making eight saves on 15 shots faced. The sophomore goalkeeper was particularly sharp in the second half, turning away four of nine Colgate shots to keep the Black Knights in control.

Colgate’s Ella Poppinga, a Third Team All-Patriot League selection, was equally impressive, making one save on 13 Army shots faced. Poppinga’s ability to limit Army to just three shots on goal kept Colgate within striking distance throughout the match.

Weather Cooperates, Health Preserved

One of the unsung storylines of the match was the favorable weather conditions and the fact that both teams emerged without significant injuries—a crucial factor as Army prepares for the semifinals.

“We really lucked out with the weather. It was chilly, but there was no wind and no rain like they had experienced the night before. It’s a great game when neither team comes out with any major injuries so we’re happy for us to be able to have everybody to recover and focus on Sunday,” Chao said.

With a quick turnaround to the semifinals, having a healthy roster is paramount. The Black Knights will need all hands on deck as they face a formidable opponent in the next round.

Statistical Breakdown

Shots & Possession

• Army: 13 shots, 3 on goal (23.1% accuracy)
• Colgate: 15 shots, 9 on goal (60.0% accuracy)

Colgate actually outshot Army 15-13 and put more shots on target (9-3), but the Black Knights made their limited opportunities count. Army’s ability to capitalize on quality chances was the difference in the match.

Set Pieces

• Army: 3 corner kicks
• Colgate: 2 corner kicks

Army held a slight edge in corner kicks, but neither team was able to convert set-piece opportunities into goals.

Fouls & Discipline

• Army: 9 fouls, 0 yellow cards, 0 red cards
• Colgate: 11 fouls, 0 yellow cards, 0 red cards

The match was played cleanly, with no cards issued. Both teams maintained their composure despite the high stakes.

Offsides

• Army: 3 offsides
• Colgate: 0 offsides

Army was caught offside three times, a sign of their aggressive attacking approach.

Key Performers

Army West Point

• Brigid Duffy: 1 goal, 6 shots, 1 shot on goal, 77 minutes
• Sophia Henry: 1 goal, 2 shots, 1 shot on goal, 48 minutes
• Bella Conti: 1 assist, 1 shot, 84 minutes
• Kaitlyn Dail: 8 saves, 1 goal allowed, 90 minutes
• Jordan Follenweider: 90 minutes, defensive anchor
• Grace Pohlidal: 1 shot, 1 shot on goal, 90 minutes

Colgate

• Ari Bezanson: 1 goal, 6 shots, 3 shots on goal, 90 minutes
• Ella Poppinga: 1 save, 2 goals allowed, 90 minutes
• Josie Tunney: 4 shots, 3 shots on goal, 41 minutes
• Nikki DiCaprio: 1 shot, 90 minutes (Second Team All-Patriot League)

Army’s Depth on Display

Army’s roster depth was evident throughout the match. Head Coach Tracy Chao utilized her bench effectively, with four substitutes contributing 171 combined minutes.

Freshman forward Sophia Henry came off the bench to deliver the decisive second goal, while defenders Gwen Burns (57 minutes) and midfielder Maddie Woodward (57 minutes) provided fresh legs and defensive stability in the second half.

Third Team All-Patriot League selections Sabrina Rogers (74 minutes) and Cami Silvestro (55 minutes) also made significant contributions, with Rogers recording one shot and helping maintain Army’s offensive pressure.

Colgate’s Valiant Effort

Despite the loss, Colgate can hold its head high after a spirited performance. The Raiders outshot Army and created numerous scoring chances, but were unable to convert until Bezanson’s late strike.

Second Team All-Patriot League forward Ana Schremp (44 minutes) and Josie Tunney (41 minutes) led Colgate’s attack, with Tunney firing four shots—three on goal—in a strong substitute performance.

The Raiders’ defensive unit, featuring Second Team All-Patriot League defender Nikki DiCaprio and several other starters, limited Army’s high-powered offense to just three shots on goal.

Looking Ahead: Boston University Awaits

With the victory, Army advances to face Boston University in the Patriot League Semifinals on Sunday. The Black Knights will look to build on this hard-fought win and continue their championship push.

Coach Chao is already focused on the challenge ahead, knowing that BU will present a formidable test.

“We know BU is going to be a good team. So for us we need to make sure we’re focused in on who we are and continue to step on the field from the first minute, and play the way we want to play with a good tempo and great opportunities and ensure that we can stay organized offensively and should be a fun one,” Chao said.

For Duffy, the team’s senior leader and Offensive Player of the Year, this season has been about more than just individual accolades.

“This season has been special because of how close this group is. Every single player has bought into the team values and what it means to represent West Point. Being part of that culture of discipline and resilience is something I take a lot of pride in. To win the Championship, it’s going to take us staying locked in on the details—working hard, communicating, and trusting each other in every moment. We know it won’t be easy, but that’s what makes it exciting,”Duffy reflected.

The opportunity to compete for a Patriot League championship is something the Black Knights have worked toward all season.

“Excited for this team to have another opportunity to play in a championship match and that’s always a goal,” Chao added.

Army’s combination of award-winning talent (Duffy, Henry), All-Conference depth (eight total selections), and postseason experience makes them a formidable contender for the Patriot League title. The Black Knights will need to maintain their tempo, create quality chances, and stay organized on both ends of the field to advance to the championship match.

For Colgate, a promising season comes to an end. The Raiders earned multiple All-Patriot League honors and pushed the No. 3 seed to the brink, but ultimately came up just short.

A Message to Army Fans

As the Black Knights prepare for their semifinal showdown with Boston University, Duffy took a moment to acknowledge the unwavering support from the Army faithful and her family.

“The support from the Army fans means everything. Whether we’re home or away, feeling that energy and pride behind us really pushes us. I also want to thank my family for always believing in me and supporting me every step of the way,” Duffy said with gratitude.

The Black Knights will need that same energy and support as they pursue a Patriot League championship and an automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament.

What’s Next: Semifinals Await

With the victory, Army advances to the Patriot League Semifinals and will await its next opponent. The Black Knights will look to build on this hard-fought win and continue their championship push.

Army’s combination of award-winning talent (Duffy, Henry), All-Conference depth (eight total selections), and postseason experience makes them a formidable contender for the Patriot League title.

For Colgate, a promising season comes to an end. The Raiders earned multiple All-Patriot League honors and pushed the No. 3 seed to the brink, but ultimately came up just short.

Final Stats Summary

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About the Patriot League Tournament

The Patriot League Women’s Soccer Tournament features the top six teams from the conference competing in a single-elimination format. The tournament champion receives an automatic bid to the NCAA Women’s Soccer Championship. Army West Point is seeking its first Patriot League Tournament title and will look to its conference-leading eight All-Patriot League selections to lead the way.