NEW YORK — After netting the game-winning overtime goal over Bucknell on Tuesday, junior midfielder Gracie Wall capped off an impressive week by netting the game-winner in the 75th minute to give Columbia a 1-0 victory over Penn on Saturday evening at Rocco B. Commisso Soccer Stadium.
 
With the win, the Lions rise to 8-3-1 overall with a 2-1 mark in Ivy League matches, while Penn drops to 6-4-1, 1-2 Ivy.
 
"We just kind of weathered the storm but that's what it's like in the Ivy League. They're one goal games that are usually just nail biters right to the end," said Columbia head coach Tracey Bartholomew. "I wish we had finished a few more chances not to make it so nerve racking, but you know, credit to Penn. It's a great program. Our girls just fought all the way for 90 minutes. Proud of their efforts all the way through."
 
It was the eighth-straight meeting in the series between the two programs in which one or fewer total goals were scored, with three of the last four going in favor of the Lions.
 
Both teams came out quick as Penn fired off a high shot within the first minute of action and the Lions responded with three quick shots of their own, including two on frame by first-year Shira Cohen, before five minutes had ticked off the clock.
 
Continuing to be aggressive towards goal, the Lions entered the halftime break with an impressive 6-0 advantage in shots on goal although none would sneak through.
 
Despite the Quakers once again getting the first shot off in the second period, junior forward Jordyn Geller was looking to score, rattling off four straight shots with her best look coming in the 55th minute as she sped past two defenders, but Penn keeper Kitty Qu made the diving save.
 
Wall's golden opportunity came with just over 15 minutes remaining in the match as sophomore forward Kayla Lee drew a foul near the midfield line. Sophomore midfielder Jessica Schildkraut would take the free kick, sending a long ball into the box. After one bounce, Wall came sweeping in to put a header straight through the middle from seven yards out.   
 
"Gracie Wall is... I don't know if she gets enough credit for all of the little things she's always doing all over the field. She's a great defender, she gets our attack into transition, our attack going, but on set pieces she's the first to any ball," commented Bartholomew. "She anticipates like no other and you've seen it the last two games. I'm so happy for her. She works so hard. She's just a great team player and everyone is so pumped when Gracie scores."
 
After 90 minutes of action, the Lions would end the match with a 15-8 shot advantage including an 8-2 edge in shots on goal.
 
Another strong showing from Columbia's senior backline of Amalya Johnson, Reilly Lucas and Taylor Penn was made evident by posting their fifth shutout of the season. First-year goalkeeper Liz Matei did her part as well, playing all 90 minutes and making two saves in the match.
 
The Lions' upcoming schedule features back-to-back Ivy League road games, traveling to Princeton (Oct. 19) and Dartmouth (Oct. 26) before returning home to take on Yale on Nov. 2.
 
For the latest on the Columbia women's soccer program, follow @ColumbiaWSoccer on Twitter and Instagram, on Facebook at Facebook.com/ColumbiaWSoccer and on the web at GoColumbiaLions.com.