NEW YORK ? In its 2009 season opener, Columbia defeated Monmouth 14-10 at Robert K. Kraft Field on February 27. Senior co-captain Holly Glynn continued her stellar play, finishing the game with seven points on six goals and an assist and had a game-high six caused turnovers.
“For our first game we played aggressively, as a team, and showed our depth,” said head coach Kerri Whitaker. “Prior to the game I told our team we needed to win in shots, in groundballs, and in draw controls. We took all those statistical categories and I thought that put us in a position to win.”
The Lions jumped out a 3-0 lead on back-to-back free position goals by Glynn and Brittany Shannon and an unassisted goal by senior Lauren Olsen.
Monmouth cut Columbia's lead to one on back-to-back goals, but this was the closest the Hawks would get as the Lions went on to outscore Monmouth 5-1 in the remainder of the half.
Columbia used another three goal run to begin the second half to take its largest lead of the day, 11-3.
The Hawks clawed their way back and scored the final two goals of the game, but it was not enough as Columbia held on to pick up its first win of the season, defeating the Hawks 14-10.
Shannon finished with four goals, while Olsen, Frances Callaghan, and Megan Donovan each picked up single tallies. Rachael Ryan had a goal and an assist and Lizzie Lee had two assists.
Megan Brennan paced Monmouth with three goals and one assist.
Columbia (1-0) returns to action on Sunday, March 1 when it travels to Lafayette for a 1 p.m. game.
