Columbia
HARVARD
Valiant Effort Falls Just Short; Men's Soccer Drops Overtime Decision to #12 Harvard, 2-1
11/7/2009 6:00:00 PM | Men's Soccer
NEW YORK -- Sophomore co-captain Mike Mazzullo tallied his first goal of the season on a header in the 66th minute to give the Columbia men's soccer team a 1-0 lead in the second half over Harvard. But the 12th-ranked Crimson scored the equalizer in the 79th minute and struck again five minutes into overtime to end the Lions upset bid, 2-1, on Senior Day at Columbia Soccer Stadium on Saturday.
The match marked the final home match of four Columbia senior student-athletes: Gaby Da Silva, Steven Keker, James Prince and Ryan Scully.
The Columbia goal came on a beautiful cross from first-year Nick Scott, who made a run down the left side and put the ball into the box. The pass was deflected to Mazzullo, who headed it up and over the Harvard goalie to put the Lions on top.
Prior to the Lion tally, Harvard had a pair of shots clang off posts. Harvard's Brian Rogers fired an attempt from the right side in the seventh minute that found the near post and caromed away, and Rogers again found iron two minutes into the second half.
Right before the conclusion of the first half, Columbia had a pair of chances but were denied each time by Harvard goalkeeper Austin Harms. Junior Bayo Adafin and Prince had the attempts.
Following Mazzullo's goal, the Crimson had a pair of opportunities before Rogers finally cashed in with a left-footed strike from about 15 yards out. The shot beat Columbia goalkeeper Alexander Aurrichio near post and tied the contest at 1-1.
The match would remain at 1-1 into extra time, and the first chance by either side would finish things off. Harvard forward Andre Akpan sent a through ball to Rogers down the right hand side. Rogers crossed the ball to Chi, who made a run down the middle of the field and finished for the sudden-victory tally.
Columbia will close out its 2009 campaign on Saturday, Nov. 14 at Cornell.
