NEW YORK — In a high-intensity matchup, the Columbia women's soccer team dropped a 2-0 decision to the visiting Brown Bears on Saturday evening at Rocco B. Commisso Soccer Stadium. The game served as Alumnae Day and the Lions donned pink warmup shirts and wrist bands to support Breast Cancer Awareness Month.
 
The Lions fall to 6-3-1 on the season with a 1-1 mark in Ivy League play, while Brown moves to 8-1-1, 2-0 Ivy.
 
"I actually thought we were playing pretty well in the first half to start the game," said Columbia head coach Tracey Bartholomew. "I thought we didn't execute in the final third some really big moments, but we were knocking the ball around well. We just kind of veered off a couple moments of our game plan and in this conference when you make a mistake you can get scored on and they've been scoring goals."
 
Both teams coming off Ivy opening wins the week prior, Brown would break the scoring barrier in the 34th minute as Brittany Raphino put the ball underneath the crossbar from just inside the top of the box.
 
The Lions looked to equalize in the 37th minute when junior forward Jordyn Geller soared a left-footed strike to the top left corner, but Brown goalkeeper Kayla Thompson would make the stop to leave Columbia scoreless heading into the locker room.
 
"I know these kids still were fighting 'til the end and really trying to make something happen," added Bartholomew. "It's hard when you're chasing the game like that and you leave yourself exposed to give them an opportunity which they took advantage of. You can't discredit what they brought. They're having a phenomenal year and you knew they were on rhythm and you needed to play your best to beat them."
 
With just under 23 minutes remaining in the contest, a header from junior midfielder Cayla Davis from just in front of the goal line would find the back of the net off a cross from Geller, but the goal would ultimately be called off as the official's cited goalkeeper interference.
 
Brown, ranked No. 11 in the latest NCAA RPI rankings, tacked on its second goal in the final minute of play when Raphino found the foot of Zoe Maxwell.
 
Despite giving up two goals, first-year Columbia goalie Liz Matei made four saves in the contest including an impressive one-on-one stop in the 81st minute on a breakaway shot by Raphino.
 
The Lions maintained offensive possession for 59 percent of the match, while both teams put up 11 shots and each team earned two corner kicks in the outing. Sophomore midfielder Jessica Schildkraut led the Lions in shots with three, including one on frame in the contest.
 
Columbia will play its final non-conference match at Bucknell on Tuesday, Oct. 8, before resuming Ivy League action next Saturday, Oct. 12, at home against Penn.
 
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.