BOX SCORE (.html) | BOX SCORE (.pdf)
PROVIDENCE, R.I. - Midfielder Zoe Blake continued her torrid start, netting the first two goals in the Columbia field hockey team's 4-0 win over Brown in its Ivy League opener Saturday afternoon. Junior goalkeeper Kimberly Pianucci made five saves for her first shutout of the season.
All four Lions (4-1, 1-0) goals came off of penalty corners against the Bears (3-1, 0-1), who came into the contest undefeated and surrendering just 0.97 goals per game. Columbia has now won five-straight overall against Brown and even the all-time series at 9-9.
Junior Christina Freibott handed out three assists for the second time this season to once again tie the school's single-game record.
“We had a successful day today on both our attack and defensive corners,” head coach Marybeth Freeman said. “In both ends, we were strong positionally and executed with precision.”
“Between the 25's, we were poised on the ball, setting up our access into our attacking circle. I thought our counter-attack structure was much more consistent and unified in our movement. Our backfield did a great job in slowing down their forwards and some terrific step-ups were made. It was a solid team win all around.”
Just eight minutes in, Blake tallied her fourth goal of the season. Skudalski fed Freibott, who settled things down for her fellow captain to put the Lions on top for good.
The Bears had a couple of corner attempts in the final minutes of the first half, but Pianucci thwarted both tries to keep Columbia in front at the half.
Blake added an insurance goal in the 44th minute the same way she notched her earlier score. Less than 10 minutes later, Whitney Hartstone got on the board for the first time of her career, tipping in a shot from Rebecca Pope off a set-piece to make it 3-0.
Pope was on the receiving end of a Taylor Mills pass that capped the scoring in the 64th minute.
Columbia held a 14-9 edge in shots, with Blake recording a game-high seven attempts.
The Lions will remain in Rhode Island to take on Providence in a non-conference tilt on Sunday, Sep. 21, at 1 p.m.
