Columbia
BROWN
Shorthanded Men's Soccer Fights to the Finish in 2-1 Overtime Defeat to #23 Brown
10/3/2009 9:15:00 PM | Men's Soccer
NEW YORK -- Despite being down a man for the final 65 minutes of regulation and overtime, the Columbia University men's soccer team battled #23 Brown to a draw for 94 minutes. But fatigue set in in the 95th minute, as a flurry of shots resulted in a goal by the Bears' Nick Elenz-Martin to defeat the Lions, 2-1, in their Ivy League opener at Columbia Soccer Stadium on Saturday.
Junior Bayo Adafin tallied his fourth goal of the season in the 51st minute, and had a team-best three shots on the night. The Lions had a trio of opportunities late in regulation but could not capitalize. Brown outshot Columbia 14-8 for the match.
The Bears had the first chance of the game in the 10th minute, as freshman midfielder Thomas McNamara took a shot on goal that was saved by a Columbia defender. Each team would take a shot in the ensuing 15 minutes before the complexion of the match would change. A red card was given out to a Columbia defender, putting the Lions a man down for the rest of the contest.
In the 42nd minute, Brown would capitalize on the uneven sides as reserve forward T.J. Thompson took a cross from Jon Okafor and converted from five yards out to give the Bears a 1-0 lead.
While the man-down situation put the Lions at a disadvantage, the team fought tooth and nail, and got the better chances against the Bears in the second half. In the 50th minute, a throw-in deep in Brown territory came to Adafin. The junior forward fought through two defenders and got a left-foot shot off. The chance went far post and in, past a diving Brown goalkeeper to tie the game at 1-1.
In the 61st minute, Adafin found himself with another chance. He took a ball down the left side and sent a shot far post that just missed the right corner.
Defensively, the Lions fended off the Brown attack led by sophomore central back Ronnie Shaban. The Ashburn, Va., native thwarted off numerous dangerous balls with well-timed headers.
With the end of regulation nearing, Columbia had two great chances in the final minute. Adafin took a shot that just wide with 54 seconds remaining. And with the final 10 second countdown on, sophomore Mike Mazzullo teed up a shot from 15 yards that was deflected by a Brown defender. The rebound came right to junior Peppe Carotenuto far post, but the midfielder could not get a shot off as time expired.
A corner kick by McNamara at the 93:39 mark would eventually lead to the game-winner. McNamara sent a ball far post that was taken by a Brown forward. After a few passes, McNamara took a chance that was blocked. Another opportunity by the Bears was denied by a Columbia defender seconds later before Elenz-Martin cashed in on a rebound to close out the win.
The Lions will continue Ivy League play on Saturday, Oct. 10 against Penn at 4 p.m.
