Columbia
ST. PETER'S
Men's Soccer Falls to Saint Peter's, 2-0, in Home Opener
9/18/2009 9:00:00 PM | Men's Soccer
NEW YORK -- Despite outshooting Saint Peter's 17-11 and controlling play for much of the evening, the Columbia University men's soccer team saw the Peacocks score twice in a 2:50 span in the second half as it fell 2-0 at Columbia Soccer Stadium on Friday.
The Lions had prime scoring chances on numerous occasions but just missed on several shots inside the 18-yard box. The first such opportunity came in the 34th minute as junior Bayo Adafin fired a shot far post that was snared by St. Peter's goalkeeper Carlos Suarez on a diving play.
With just under five minutes remaining in the opening period, first-year Nick Scott took the ball on the left wing and made a nifty move to beat his defender to the touch line. Scott found senior James Prince in front of the net, and Prince fired an attempt that went just over the crossbar. The match would enter the half scoreless and with the Lions holding the shot advantage, 8-3.
After the break, sophomore Francois Anderson moved up the right wing in the 52nd minute and found junior Hayden Johns at the edge of the box. Johns took a go at it and missed just high to keep the contest scoreless.
In the 60th minute, first-year Quentin Grisby shifted up from his left back position and corralled the ball on the preface of the box. Grigsby rocked a shot far post that went just wide and thwarted another opportunity for the Lions.
Just minutes later, St. Peter's would use some misfortune on the Lions part to tally the match's first goal. Peacock midfielder Dmitri Pelts was able to get a shot off after a misplay at the edge of the box, and caromed a shot off the bottom of the crossbar. The ball appeared to remain in play, but the linesman had a good view of it and ruled that the entire ball had passed the goal line to put St. Peter's up 1-0.
A free kick from 22 yards out by Peacock defender Udi Naim found the netting near post to double St. Peter's lead in the 69th minute.
The Lions would fight tooth and nail to halve the lead over the final 20 minutes, but couldn't find the proper accuracy despite being perilously close. Anderson had a chance on the doorstep after a fabulous 1v1 move on the right side, but his attempt sailed high in the 76th minute. Adafin later would test Suarez again, but he was up to the challenge in the 80th minute. Adafin and Anderson led the squad with three shots apiece.
Columbia is back in action on Sunday, Sept. 20 as it takes on Boston University at Columbia Soccer Stadium at 2 p.m.
