Lions Drop Hard-Fought Battle With Dartmouth, 2-1

Friday, October 19

New York, N.Y.

2:00 P.M.

Columbia University

(7-6, 2-3)

Dartmouth

(5-8, 2-3)

Dartmouth

Columbia

Photo by: Columbia University Athletics/Mike McLaughlin

Lions Drop Hard-Fought Battle With Dartmouth, 2-1

10/19/2018 4:06:00 PM | Field Hockey

Box Score Box Score (.pdf)HIGHLIGHT: Buttinger Goal

Columbia tried to erase another two-goal deficit in the second half, but the Lions' rally comes up just short.

NEW YORK – The Columbia field hockey team dropped a 2-1 decision to Dartmouth Friday afternoon in a hard-fought game, largely dominated by the Lions everywhere but the final score. The Lions dropped to 7-6 overall and 2-3 in Ivy League play.

After Columbia tried to get off to a fast start offensively, Dartmouth (5-8, 2-3) was able to counter six minutes in and draw a corner for its first goal of the afternoon. Jessica Valvano scored her first of the season on the set-piece to give the Big Green the early lead.

The Lions dictated the pace the remainder of the half, but the Big Green played strong defense in front of goalkeeper Hailey Valerio to limit Columbia to just one shot on goal in the first half and keep the score 1-0 at halftime.

In the second half, Dartmouth got a gratuitous bounce to double the advantage in the 44^th minute. An initial shot off a corner was blockered away by Katie Dempsey. The ball sailed through the air to Tatum Schultz on the left doorstep and batted in home for her third of the year.

The Lions turned up the pressure and had a series of chances to chip away at the deficit, including a shot from outside the circle from Kelsey Farkas that somehow eluded a defender in front of Valerio and was waved off with 20:36 remaining. A few minutes later, Danielle Buttinger was left alone on a breakaway and pulled Valerio off her line, but her shot trickled just wide to keep Dartmouth in front by two.

In the 64^th minute, Columbia finally broke through when Jennifer Trieschman and Buttinger got behind the Big Green's backline. Trieschman turned up the field to feed Buttinger, who had a charging Valerio coming at her again, and spun and buried the chance for her fifth of the season.

The Lions best chance to even the score came in the 68^th minute when a Dartmouth back knocked over a Columbia forward to force a penalty stroke. Brooke Gasser took the shot and her attempt was kicked away from a diving Valerio. The ball remained in the offensive zone for the Lions, but the Big Green held off the rally.

The Lions are back in action this Sunday, October 21 when they host Villanova for a 1 p.m. start. Admission is free for all home field hockey contests. The game will be shown live on ESPN+.