Lions Take Down No. 24 Maine, 3-2

Sunday, September 15

Orono, Maine

1:00 P.M.

Columbia University

(3-1)

Maine

(1-4)

Columbia

Maine

Photo by: Columbia University Athletics/Mike McLaughlin

9/15/2019 3:04:00 PM | Field Hockey

Box Score Box Score (.pdf)Highlights

Columbia scored three early goals and went on for its second victory in a row over a ranked opponent.

ORONO, Maine – The Columbia field hockey team earned its second consecutive win over a ranked opponent after taking down No. 24 Maine, 3-2, Sunday afternoon. The Lions built a 3-0 lead in the first half, thanks to a pair of goals from junior Kelsey Farkas, and held off the Black Bears (1-4), who pulled within one in the third quarter.

Columbia improved to 3-1 on the year and is off to its best start since the 2010 campaign.

"This weekend was a big step forward for our program against two strong opponents," said head coach Caroline Nelson-Nichols. "I am deeply proud of this team and the belief they have had in our process. I'm looking forward to our next game and our continued full team effort!"

The Lions went right to work out of the gates, drawing a penalty corner in the opening minute. Off a scramble, Allison Smith put home her third goal of the season to put the Lions on top, 1-0. In the seventh minute, Columbia used another corner to generate three shots that were all denied, but were awarded a penalty stroke that Farkas buried to double the advantage.

Farkas posted her second goal in the game in the 18^th minute, using another set piece and finishing a pass from Kelly McCarthy to push the margin to three. However, Maine broke up the shutout bid in the 28^th minute off a score from Chloe Walton to make it 3-1 heading into the break.

After Columbia went ahead 9-1 in shots on goal in the first half, the Black Bears responded in the second and made it 3-2 on Brianna Ricker's goal off a corner in the 39^th minute of play. Alexa Conomikes stopped the next two shots she faced and the Lions' defense held Maine without a shot attempt over the final nine minutes to pick up the weekend sweep.

"This weekend is a huge testament to the work this team has done," Farkas stated. "I am incredibly proud of the grit and heart that we showed as a program today, where we continued to fight until the very last minute of the game. Maine is a very talented team. We knew coming in they possess a lot of speed as a group and were very skilled on the ball. I think we were able to utilize our strengths as a team to combat their game play. This team is ready to put in the work to continue seeing success on the field this season. We are very excited about the win and ready to get back to work for Fairfield on Friday!"

"The team is thrilled to be returning to NYC with two wins over talented, ranked opponents," added senior captain Kelly McCarthy. "Our attacking penalty corners were a huge asset this weekend, a strength we will continue to hone and refine in training. Maine was an extremely gritty opponent today, and it took a a full team effort to get the win. This is just the beginning — we are looking forward to getting back to the drawing board to prepare for Fairfield next Friday."

Columbia wraps up its five-game road swing at Fairfiled Friday, September 20, at 4 p.m. Fans can catch all the action on Facebook Live.

For the latest on Columbia field hockey, follow @columbiafhockey on Twitter, @columbiafh on Instagram, and on the web at GoColumbiaLions.com.