Coach Kittleman Jackson Interview | Ashley Rinere Interview

NEW YORK - The Columbia lacrosse team had four Lions score three goals or more on Sunday, March 31, as they defeated Fresno State, 16-7, at Robert K. Kraft Field. Kate Murphy scored a game-high four goals, while both Ashley Rinere and Kacie Johnson tallied six points, including three goals and three assists. The Lions improve to 2-8 on the season to start off a four game homestand.

The Columbia offense began its attack early jumping out to a 3-0 lead in the opening three minutes of play. Rinere scored the first goal of the game at 28:05. Johnson assisted on the following two scores with quick passes to Murphy and Rinere. The Lions then responded to a Fresno State score at 24:55 with another three goal run.

After two early goals by Rinere, she found Kelly Buechel for her first of back-to-back scores at 24:18. Columbia continued to share the ball as Sara Greenberg assisted Murphy for a goal as the Lions took a 6-1 lead at 17:22.  With scores from Murphy (13:33), Paige Cuscovitch (9:58) and Johnson (9:05), the Lions extended the lead to 9-3 at the break. The Lions posted a season-high six assists in the first half with Johnson leading the way with three.

The Bulldogs came out in the second half scoring two quick goals to trim the Columbia lead to 9-5 at 27:18. Columbia retaliated with its biggest run of the season scoring seven unanswered goals to take control the game.

Columbia posted a season-high seven total assists and grabbed 17 of 23 draw controls to capture the 16-7 victory over Fresno State. Six different Lions scored including an exciting final goal from Kaitlin Brophy, her second of the season.

Up next, the Columbia lacrosse team will host Penn at Robert K. Kraft Field on Saturday, April 6 at 1 p.m.