NEW YORK — The 11th-ranked Tennessee Volunteers lived up to the billing on Sunday afternoon as Columbia dropped a 3-0 decision in the home-opener at Rocco B. Commisso Soccer Stadium. Columbia drops to 0-1-1 overall with the loss.
 
The Vols (3-1) displayed their offensive power early in the contest, jumping ahead to a 2-0 advantage following an unassisted goal from Isabella Cook in the third minute and and another score from Michelle Alozie off a cross from MA Vignola in the ninth minute of action.
 
Perhaps Columbia's best scoring opportunity came in the 42nd minute when senior Maddie Temares' cross found the foot of senior forward Emily Koe just in front of the goal box, but the shot curled wide right.
 
In the 63rd minute, Tennessee extended its lead with its third and final goal as Alicia Donley recovered the ball off a cleared shot attempt and sent a low shot past first-year goalkeeper Liz Matei.
 
Temares led the Lions with a pair of shots on target while sophomore Jess Schildkraut had another, but the Vols held the edge in shots (10-5) and shots on goal (8-3). Columbia's defense was working hard as Tennessee maintained possession for 59 percent of the match.
 
For the second-straight game, Matei played all 90 minutes in goal for the Lions, registering four saves in the contest including a diving stop in the 82nd minute.
 
Columbia will look to bounce back Thursday, Sept. 5, traveling to face nearby Fordham at 7 p.m. ET. Last season, the Lions claimed a 3-0 home victory over the Rams
 
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.