NEW YORK - The Columbia field hockey team used a solid team effort to defeat Penn on Tuesday, November 3 at the Columbia Field Hockey Venue.  With the win, the Lions evened their record at 8-8 and improved to 2-4 in the Ivy League, while the Quakers fell to 5-11, 2-4 in the conference.

Jane Gartland scored what proved to be the game-winning goal just 1:44 into the contest.  The Lions were awarded a corner, and junior defender Hannah Smith unleashed a shot in front of the goal.  Gartland was able to get a piece of it and redirect the ball past Penn's goalkeeper to give Columbia an early 1-0 lead.

It was all about the Columbia offense in the opening half, outshooting the Quakers 5-0 and holding a 3-1 advantage in penalty corners.   Penn's Kieran Sweeney made three saves in the first half to keep the game close.

Ten minutes into the second half, Columbia head coach Jana Woolley called a time out.  Less than two minutes later the Lions converted on a beautiful play to push their lead to two.  Christine Buszczak inserted the ball to Caitlin Mullins who then slid a ball to Gabby Kozlowski.  The first-year wound up and fired a shot to the far right post for her fourth goal of the season at 47:49.

The defense continued to shut down the Penn attack, and Erin Conway made three second half saves as the Lions held on for a 2-0 win.

Conway earned a shut out in goal making three vital saves, while Julia Garrison, Maggie O'Connor, and Gartland led the team with two shots a piece.  For the game, Columbia outshot the Quakers 9-5 while each team had four corners.

The Lions (8-8, 2-4) will close out the 2009 season on Friday, November 6 when they host Harvard for a 3 p.m. game.