NEW YORK — The Columbia women's soccer team exploded for four goals, including three in the second half to put away visiting Drexel, 4-0, on a warm Sunday afternoon at Rocco B. Commisso Soccer Stadium.
The victory improves Columbia to 5-2-1, marking the first time since 2010 the Lions have won five games before the start of Ivy League season. The win was also Columbia's second straight without conceding a goal. Meanwhile, Drexel, which was coming off back-to-back BIG EAST wins over St. John's and Seton Hall, fell to 4-3-2.
"We knew this was our last game in preparation for the start of Ivy League and I'm proud of the effort we showed today," sixth-year head coach Tracey Bartholomew stated. "We always talk about playing for 90 minutes and I thought this was the best second half we've played. We put a full game together, not only offensively but to also get a shutout is important. I commend our goalkeepers and our back line for getting the job done too."
Junior Cayla Davis opened the scoring in the 34th minute, winning a header right in front of goal off a corner sent in from Jordyn Geller. Davis's bouncing shot was nearly kept out by one of the Drexel defenders guarding the goal line, but the ball had crossed the plane on the left side before being swept away.
The Lions took six shots in the opening 45 minutes with each side putting two apiece on goal. Fist-year keeper Liz Matei made a diving save to keep the Dragons off the scoreboard.
Columbia doubled its lead less than four minutes into the second half. Maddie Temares played a short corner out to Jessica Schildkraut on the far side. Schildkraut took the ball toward the penalty area before crossing it into the six-yard box for first-year Ally Clark, who finished off her first collegiate goal with a perfect header just inside the right post.
The rout was on with Columbia's next goal. This time, Schildkraut did the work herself, collecting a weak punchout from Drexel keeper Libby Baeza about 10 yards from goal and blasting the rebound into the back of the net. The goal was the sophomore's second of the year and first since Sept 5.
Schildkraut's and Columbia's days weren't over yet. Just over the midway point of the half, Schildkraut served in a tremendous ball from the far touch line to the near post. Jordyn Geller was on the receiving end, heading in the delivery from right in front to give the Lions their fourth tally of the game.
"Drexel is a great program – last year we tied them in our opening game and we knew this game was going to be a test for us," Bartholomew went on to say. "We've really been working on our set pieces but we also had such great rhythm in the second half."
Columbia opens up Ivy League on the road this Saturday at Cornell. Game time against the Big Red is scheduled for 1 p.m., with the contest set to air live 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.
