shoot a goal—(Sport) score a goal:
- The ball had come in from the right, and McLuckie killed it, and shot a goal.
shoot at the goal—
1. (Sport) kick the ball, etc. in an attempt to score a goal:
- In the last hockey game, Mike Modano shot at the goal several times.
2. have smth. in mind as an object; strive for smth.:
- When it is achieved there will be other goals for them to shoot at.