BOX SCORE (.html) | BOX SCORE (.pdf)
POSTGAME INTERVIEW WITH MARYBETH FREEMAN
POSTGAME INTERVIEW WITH LEAH MATTHEWS
NEW YORK – The Columbia field hockey team came up with a 3-1 victory over La Salle to open the 2014 campaign on Friday evening. Leah Matthews and Katie Ruesterholz each notched a goal and an assist to lead the Lions' attack.
Columbia played a strong possession game early on and Christina Freibott had a pair of strong scoring opportunities.
In the 15th minute, the junior tri-captain drove hard down the right side of the scoring area, but the Explorers' netminder Rachel Hoffman came up with a blocker. Freibott nearly got Columbia on the board eight minutes later, however, Hoffman got her arm on a rising shot from the left side to keep the game scoreless.
As the contest went on, the Lions continued to pressure La Salle and struck first in the 32nd minute. First-year Whitney Hartstone found some space near midfield and found Ruesterholz streaking down the right side. The sophomore forward made some nifty moves to work her way into the short corner and slid a perfect centering pass to Matthews to make it 1-0.
Columbia carried the momentum in the second half, but could not pull away from a solid defensive La Salle squad. Despite having one shot, the Explorers jumped on their first legitimate scoring chance to knot things up.
Devin Muracco came up with the ball off a turnover in the offensive zone. With one defender back, she drove to her right to force Columbia goalkeeper Kimberly Pianucci to dive out of position. Muracco fed Abbey Lawrence, who buried the shot.
The Lions responded swiftly in the 61st minute on a scramble play. Ruesterholz recorded a shot from the top of the semicircle that was saved and bounced to Matthews. Matthews hit Ruesterholz on the left side of the goal mouth for what proved to be the game-winner.
Zoe Blake capped the scoring in the 68th minute, knocking home a one-timer from the top of the key off a penalty corner. Kyle Marsh started the play and passed it to Freibott, who settled the ball for Blake's first tally of the year.
Kimberly Pianucci picked up the win, making two stops on the night. Columbia held a 15-4 advantage in shots for the game and a 9-3 edge in penalty corners.
The Lions are back at it this Sunday, Sep. 7, at defending national champion Connecticut. Game time is set for 2 p.m.
