HAMILTON – When the starting lineup for the Syracuse men’s soccer team’s game against Colgate was announced Wednesday, a familiar name was back in it: Alim Karim.

After starting the season against St. Bonaventure, Karim was replaced by junior Rich Scheer. Scheer started the next six games until Karim’s spot start on Wednesday.

Karim allowed one goal on 15 Colgate shots while recording three saves. His best save came in the second half when he made a diving stop on a header that looked destined for the back of the net.

But the junior also received a stunning blow to the stomach in the second half.

After being called offside in the box, Colgate’s Eric Anton ignored the whistle and shot the ball anyway. It was a rocket that Karim saved, but it came at a cost, knocking Karim to the ground. He remained there for a few minutes while teammates helped him stretch and regain his composure. He played the rest of the game.

Pete Rowley and Mike McCallion continue to nurse injuries for the Orange.

Rowley missed his fourth straight game because of an injury on his right leg. He didn’t dress for the game, and his leg was wrapped in a black, soft cast from the knee down.

Rowley leads SU with two goals this year.

McCallion didn’t start because of a knee injury. He did come in and play the entire second half. The injury limits the amount of time McCallion can play.

‘It’s real frustrating, especially with my knee,’ McCallion said. ‘I’m trying to nurse it back to health with my leg, and it’s just frustrating.’

Senior Ryan Hickey, who suffered from a lingering ankle bruise earlier in the season, played the entire game.

Judging by the play on the field Wednesday, it was obvious Syracuse and Colgate exhibit a local rivalry.

The game featured 34 fouls, six yellow cards and plenty of verbal exchanges between players.

In the first half, Syracuse junior Pat Gallagher was taken down and a foul was called. Colgate’s Travis Rains shouted out and called Gallagher a ‘freaking wussy.’

Throughout the game, players collided with each other and exchanged a few extra shoves and jabs.

The loss ended Syracuse’s three-game winning streak over Colgate. Normally Syracuse dominates in-state opponents. But so far this year, SU has lost to four New York teams, while only beating Oneonta.

All eight of Colgate’s games this year have been shutouts. Wednesday’s win was Colgate’s fifth shutout. … Syracuse head coach Dean Foti met with the head referee during halftime after a disputed call in the first half. After the call went against Syracuse in the first half, Jeff Evans argued the call and received a yellow card. Foti lambasted the side ref, demanding time with the ref at halftime….No Syracuse player recorded more than one shot on goal.

Published on September 29, 2004 at 12:00 pm