Columbia University
LIU-Brooklyn
Men's Soccer Nets Three In Win At LIU Brooklyn
9/12/2014 9:33:00 PM | Men's Soccer
Box Score
BROOKLYN, NY - The Columbia men's soccer team came from behind on the road to knock off LIU Brooklyn in dramatic fashion, 3-2, while improving to 2-1-1 in 2014. Frederick Elliot, Ron Zori, and Jack Gagné all scored goals for the Lions, a team off to its best start since 2011.
The first shot and first goal of the game came at the same time for Elliot, who recorded his first career goal in the process. Midway through the first, Antonio Matarazzo found Elliot for the score, giving Columbia a 1-0 lead at the 27:26 mark in the frame.
The Lions were only able to get one more shot off in the first, as LIU Brooklyn controlled the possession for much of the half. The Blackbirds were unable to score either, thanks to four blocked shots by the Columbia defense.
Although the Lions went into the half with a 1-0 lead, it did not take long for LIU Brooklyn to catch up in the second half. Naeem Charles decided to put one past Columbia's Kyle Jackson into the net a mere 47 seconds in to the second half. Seven minutes later at the 52-minute mark, LIU's Brice Merwine gave the Blackbirds a 2-1 lead and keeping momentum on the home teams' side.
Columbia would have an answer however, with Zori. The sophomore rebounded a previous shot and put it away, tying things up 2-2 at the 54:53 mark.
More scoring would come for Columbia later in the second, thanks to another player that had yet to net a goal this season. When a Matarazzo shot was saved and bounced off goalie Logan Keys, the senior Gagné was there to put away the rebound and give the Lions a 3-2 lead. The goal marks the third straight year that Gagné, who normally lines up as a central defender, was able to get one past the opposing goalie.
LIU Brooklyn did attempt a rally and had a chance at a late equalizer, but Jackson would not let a Tanner Sica header be true, preserving the road victory.
The 2-1 Lions continue play away from Rocco B. Commisso Soccer Stadium next weekend, when the team travels to Hamden, Conn. to take on Quinnipiac. The contest is set for 3:00 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 20.
