HAMILTON, N.Y. — The Columbia women's soccer team got on the board first and took a 2-1 lead into halftime, but Colgate would equalize in the 71st minute to ultimately seal a draw in the Lions' season-opener in front of a packed Beyer-Small '76 Field on Friday evening.
 
It was first-year forward Shira Cohen who got the scoring started in her collegiate debut, gathering the ball at the top of the goal box off a double assist from fellow first-years Maddy McCaw and Ally Clark and slotting it past Colgate's keeper in the 23rd minute. The Columbia lead was short-lived however, as the Raiders knotted things up in the 26th minute.
 
With just seconds remaining in the first half, senior Maddie Temares sent a free kick ahead as senior defender Amalya Johnson came screaming in to perfectly knock in her first career goal and leave the Lions with a 2-1 edge at the break.
 
The Raiders came out firing in the second half, leveling the score at two in the 71st minute off a header from Julia Lindsey. Neither team would break through in the remaining 17 minutes of regulation, pushing the contest to extra time.
 
Colgate continued to put on pressure with three attempts at goal in the first overtime period, but first-year goalkeeper Liz Matei would make a crucial save in the 99th minute to force the final 10 minutes of action. Neither team would get a good look in the final stanza.
 
Matei, who played all 110 minutes in goal for the Lions, was one of four Columbia rookies to earn a start in the season debut. Matei made 10 key saves on the evening. Fellow first-years Cohen, forward Ally Clark and midfielder Maddy McCaw joined her in the starting lineup.
 
Columbia returns to New York City on Sunday for its home opener at Rocco B. Commisso Soccer Stadium, taking on the Tennessee Volunteers at 1 p.m. ET on ESPN+.
 
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.