TEANECK, N.J. - For more than 100 minutes, Columbia and No. 10 Fairleigh Dickinson went without either team scoring a goal, with the Lions outplaying the Knights for the majority of the match. However, Nadav Gottesman's golden goal in the 105th gave FDU the 1-0 win.
Within the first 10 minutes, the Lion defense set the tone for the rest of match, as senior Sekou Cox (Brooklyn, N.Y.) and sophomore Drew Ford (St. Petersburg, Fla.) blocked several shots in front. Keeping the ball in the midfield and in the FDU end, the back line would continue to dominate throughout the match.
In the 18th minute, junior keeper Alex Maffeo (Morristown, N.J.) snuffed out the Knights' best chance of the half with a leaping, diving save on a shot headed for the back of the net to preserve the scoreless tie.
Columbia (3-6) ultimately outshot Fairleigh Dickinson 7-6 in the first half as the Lions had their chances with junior John Mulhern (Smithtown, N.Y.) and first-year Tom Smith (Brighton, England) creating several opportunities in the FDU end.
The second half was more of the same, as Columbia controlled play and held the ball for most of the half. In the 63rd minute, junior Scott Waddell (Beltsville, Md.) created a chance in front but could not convert. The back line again was dominant, as senior Blake Lindberg (New Orleans, La.), along with Cox and first-year James Pounder (Sunderland, England), won the majority of 50-50 balls and held the Knights to three shots during the second half.
In the 80th minute, the Lions had their best chance as sophomore Chris Wales received a pass to the keeper's right, had an open corner but his redirection went just wide and the match would move into overtime with Columbia holding the momentum.
But Fairleigh Dickinson (6-0-1) had the best chance of the first overtime, with a direct kick five minutes in due to a handball just outside the box. The direct kick ultimately sailed just high and the first overtime passed without a score.
With 5:48 left in the second overtime, FDU broke through when Gottesman and Yanni Gosselin converted on a give-and-go inside the box and Gottesman fired one home to give the Knights the win in a grueling, see-saw battle.
The Lions will return to action on Saturday, October 1 when they will open the Ivy League season at home against Brown. The 1 p.m. match will follow the men's soccer alumni game at 11 a.m.
