HEMPSTEAD, N.Y. -   The Columbia field hockey scored back-to-back goals to pull within one of Hofstra, but that was as close as the Lions would get, falling to the Pride 4-2 in non-conference action on Wednesday, October 14. Five of the game's six goals were scored over a 22-minute stretch in the opening half.

Hofstra struck first 2:40 into the game when Ashleigh Daniels found the far right corner to put the home team ahead, 1-0.

The Lions had a chance to tie the game five minutes later when first-year Katie DeSandis was awarded a penalty stroke, but Amanda Heyde made a huge save to preserve Hofstra's one goal lead.

The Pride went on to score back-to-back goals by Amy-Lee Levey and Micaela Gallagher to push their lead to 3-0 19:30 into the first half, prompting a Columbia timeout.

The Lions came out with a new energy and responded with two quick goals of its own.  Junior defender Caitlin Mullins fired a shot off a corner that first-year Gabby Kozlowski was able to redirect, picking up her first collegiate goal.  Her classmate, DeSandis, followed that with a one-timer off a pass from Paige Simmons to cut the Pride's lead to one.

The second half proved to be a defensive battle with the Lions outshooting the Pride by a 12-3 margin.  Columbia pulled its goalie towards the end of the second half in order to add an additional field player, but Hofstra was able to capitalize, adding an insurance goal at 65:30. 

Overall, Columbia out shot Hofstra 17-10 in the game and held an 11-7 advantage in corners.   Christie O'Hara was credited with one save in the first half before giving way to Erin Conway in the second half.

Columbia (5-6, 1-2 Ivy League) returns to action on Sunday, October 18 when it hosts Penn at the Columbia Field Hockey Venue at 1 p.m.