BRONX, N.Y. – A first half score by Fordham helped the No. 25 ranked men's soccer team defeat Columbia today at Coffey Field.
 
With the loss, the Lions drop to 3-2-1 on the season and now have an extended break before the start of Ivy League play.
 
The home team got on the board in the 23rd minute of the first half, after gaining back possession in the midfield. Johannes Pieles sent a forward ball to Janos Loebe on the right side, as the senior forward found the correct angle to get one past Dylan Castanheira for a goal, from just inside the 18.
 
Columbia out-shot Fordham 7-4 in the first half, with their best chance coming off the foot of Francisco Agrest. In the 38th minute, Agrest gathered the ball from 30 yards out, beat his defender and fired towards goal, hitting the right post and bouncing out. He later was able to connect with Will Todd on a corner kick with 30 seconds remaining until the break, but a header from the first-year was saved by Fordham goalie Rashid Nuhu.
 
In the second half of action, Columbia subbed in a pair of offensive spark plugs in John Denis and Beto Carrillo in hopes of adding some chances in the final third. In the 73rd minute, Carrillo had just that in the box, but his shot was blocked by a Fordham defender. Danny Laranetto had two shots with less than 10 minutes left in the match, but his 84th minute attempt was blocked, and another attempt one minute later sailed high.
 
The Lions had two more looks in the closing minutes, challenging Nuhu along the way. After the Fordham goalie was called for a Yellow Card with 2:17 on the clock, Denis stepped up to take the free kick from 30 yards out. The Columbia junior put a shot on frame just below the crossbar, but Nuhu was there for the save.
 
Just over a minute later, Kynan Rocks got free in the box and sent a desperation bicycle-kick towards goal that went wide of the far post, as time trickled away with Fordham earning the 1-0 win.
 
Agrest and Rocks led the way with three shots each, as Todd and Denis were the only Lions with a shot on goal. Castanheira ended the contest with one save and one goal against.
 
Columbia now has eight days off before opening Ivy League play at Brown next Saturday at 7:00 p.m. on ESPN+.