MONMOUTH, N.J. ? Columbia fell to two-time defending Northeast Conference champion Monmouth, 10-9, in the Lions' season opener. First-year Gabrielle Geronimos scored the final goal of the game with 6:17 left to play, and Columbia spent about five of those final minutes around the Hawks' cage, but could not equalize.

Neither team led by more than two goals at any point.

"We played well in a hard-fought game," head coach Kerri Whitaker noted.

Monmouth opened the scoring at 28:16, and scored two of the first three goals of the contest. Sophomore Brittany Shannon responded by scoring Columbia's next four goals, including one with 48 seconds left in the first half, and the first goal of the second half to give the Lions a 5-4 advantage.

"Brittany had a great game," Whitaker said.

The Hawks answered with goals at 22:06, 20:13, and 19:07 for a 7-5 lead. The Lions scored three of the next four goals, including a tying goal from junior Holly Glynn with 14:30 left. Ashley Waldman gave Monmouth the lead, and Megan Nutter's third goal of the game proved to be the game-winner; it was Monmouth's final goal of the contest with 11:17 remaining.

Emma Mintz made 11 saves in goal, while Monmouth's Monica Johnson had to make 13 stops. Shannon had four goals and an assist, Glynn and Geronimos scored twice, and Marisa Marcellino had a goal, an assist, and four draw controls.

The team's home opener is Sunday, March 2 vs. Lafayette at 1 p.m.