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NEW YORK – The Columbia field hockey team erased a two-goal deficit to pick up a 3-2 win over UMass Sunday afternoon. Lauren Skudalski netted the game-winner in the 63^rd minute, and added two more assists, to help the Lions improve to 8-4 on the season.

The Minutewomen (6-8) struck first in the seventh minute with Sarah Hawkshaw taking a turnover and sending a crossing pass to her left to Hailey Cockrum. Cockrum lifted a shot over a diving Kendall Kuntz to make it 1-0.

Both teams excelled defensively, with each team only registering one shot, before things opened up around the 17^th minute. UMass drew a penalty corner in the 23^rd minute and Tory Berry picked up the ball on a scramble play and extended the margin to 2-0 with her first tally of the year.

Columbia found its offensive rhythm after that and began to apply more pressure. On a penalty corner, Christina Freibott redirected a Skudalski shot to cut the deficit in half in the 30^th minute. Less than five minutes later, the Lions ran the exact same play, this time it was Lindsey Walter who was the recipient of the tip-in play off a Skudalski shot from the point, evening things up as the teams went to the half.

In the second half, Columbia continued to control the time of possession, drawing a series of penalty corners. However, the Minutewomen had a golden chance to reclaim the lead after a penalty stroke was awarded in the 56^th minute. UMass' Brooke Sabia's attempt sailed wide-left as the game remained deadlocked, 2-2.

Eventually, the Lions broke through after Zoe Blake's blast off a set-piece hit the stick of Freibott, which landed to Skudalski, who lofted the shot into the net. It appeared as if Columbia would be able to run out the clock with more possession play and crisp passing, but the Minutewomen had one last opportunity.

With the clock winding down, a foul was called on the Lions in the semicircle, giving UMass a corner. After time expired, Melanie Kreusch's shot off the insert was blocked off by a diving Kuntz, but Columbia could not clear the zone. Another foul was called giving the visitors one last chance to tie things up and Kreusch had another shot blocked in front. The ball caromed to Izzie Delario, but her shot was off the mark and the Lions came away with the victory.

Kuntz earned her first decision of the year after making two saves. Freibott has now scored multiple points in six consecutive games.

The Lions return to Ivy League play next Saturday, October 18 at Penn. Game-time is set for 12 p.m.