NEW YORK – Junior midfielder Maddie Temares connected off a cross from senior Rachel Alexander in the 101st minute to give Columbia a 2-1 double overtime victory over Cornell in its Ivy League opener Saturday evening inside Rocco B. Commisso Soccer Stadium. The goal was Temares' third of the season.
The Ivy League opening win moves the Lions to 4-4-1 overall on the season, while Cornell falls to 1-6-1, 0-1 Ivy.
"Incredible response from the team to continue to grind to find a way to get that goal, said Columbia Head Coach Tracey Bartholomew. "We have been creating so many chances, so it was great to finally score two goals in a game. Every Ivy game is an absolute battle and you know you can't take any win for granted. Obviously, these guys will enjoy this moment, but at the same time they'll get refocused and get ready to play Brown."
The Big Red got on the board early, connecting off a corner kick in the 24th minute to take a 1-0 advantage that would carry through halftime. Columbia wasn't without its chances, putting up eight shots and four shots on goal in the first half alone, but none would break through.
Continuing to push the ball in the second half, Columbia controlled possession for the majority of the period until Alexander was finally able to connect, scoring the equalizer off an assist from senior forward Emma Anderson in the 87th minute. Alexander's goal was her first of the season, while Anderson earned her second assist of the 2018 campaign.
The Lions outshot Cornell an astounding 38-1 in the contest, including a 17-1 advantage in shots on goal.
Columbia will return to action next Saturday, Sept. 29, as the Lions face their first Ivy road test at Brown.
