On Nov. 6, the Colgate Women’s Soccer season came to an end after a loss against Army in the semifinals of the Patriot League Tournament. While the team’s final match resulted in a 1-2 loss, their performance throughout the regular season and post-season has been nothing short of a success. The Raiders, led by head coach Lyndse Hokanson — who is in her 6th year with the Raiders — went 9-6-4 overall and 6-2-1 in Patriot League play.
“This season was really special for the team and for our staff,” Hokanson reflected. “The trademarks of this 2025 group were their resilience and determination, the ways in which they showed up for each other and how every member of the team played a part in what we achieved.”
To chime in on this impressive post-season run, senior team members expressed their viewpoints on what helped the team’s results and their gratitude for the season.
“I think this season was defined by the love that our team had. The love of the game, the love of the challenges we faced and, most importantly, the love that we had for each other. We achieved the success we did because of this love, in every space,” senior Ana Schremp said. “In practice, we pushed each other to improve and celebrated the growth we achieved. In games, we never got down on each other when things didn’t go our way; instead, we leaned on each other and continued to push. We committed to the process and enjoyed it in its entirety.”
Schremp was not the only player to comment on the irrevocable bond and work ethic the team had this year.
“This season was truly so special. I remember at the beginning of the season we would get random comments about the energy and bond our team had. I think our genuine happiness and love we had for one another really carried us throughout this season,” senior Ari Bezanson said, who scored the Raiders’ only goal in the semifinal.
Bezanson’s outstanding performance this season is not one to be overlooked. A team captain and midfielder, she contributed seven goals and two assists over the course of the season. It caps off her already-exceptional collegiate career in which she scored a total of 30 career goals.
Bezanson and sophomore forward Josie Tunney, the team’s second highest goal-scorer this season, both recently earned a spot on the Patriot League All-Tournament Team. Bezanson’s final game notched her a program record as she made her 74th career appearance, a testament to her long-term commitment and contribution to the team’s success.
Aside from the undoubtedly tight-knit bond the Raiders maintained this season, trust appears to be another key factor in the team’s post-season run.
“We also had a very talented and capable team which helped us be so deep so when we had injuries or needed to adapt, we always had trust in everyone. I really was just so proud of the effort and energy everyone brought to every practice and game this year,” Bezanson added.
While the Raiders were unable to make it past the Patriot League semifinals as they hoped, their gratitude for a remarkable journey and outstanding season seems to take forefront as they look back and reflect on the fall.
“It was a special group of girls who were not just talented soccer players, but the most incredible people. Despite the result of our last game, I was overwhelmed with gratitude for how much fun the season was, and a lot of that was because of the people,” Schremp said.
It is clear that the Raiders’ compatibility, combined with a collective desire to work and perform on and off the field, transcends any post-season outcome and paves the way for growth and success.
“I’m so proud of the way our players competed and strove to accomplish so many amazing things together,” Hokanson said. “We’re excited at what we’re capable of continuing to do as a program thanks to the work done by this senior class and the legacy they leave behind.”