ITHACA, N.Y. — After a scoreless opening half on both ends of the pitch, the Columbia women's soccer team used a pair of second-half goals plus a strong defensive effort to earn a 2-0 victory over Cornell in the Ivy League opener at Berman Field on Saturday afternoon. The outing marked Columbia's third-straight shutout.
 
The Lions rise to 6-2-1 including a 1-0 mark in Ivy action with the win, while Cornell falls to 4-3-1, 0-1 Ivy.
 
"My hat has to go off to Cornell," said Columbia head coach Tracey Bartholomew after the game. "They came out very strong in the first half. I think in the Ivy League, your first game is a nerve-racking one. These games are usually only a one-goal difference. Starting the game, it was hot, so I think once we settled down in the second half we came out and played our game, knocking the ball around and finding feet and just creating opportunities."
 
It wasn't until the 65th minute sophomore forward Mallaika Tomar was able to break through on a give-and-go, putting it ahead to junior forward Jordyn Geller who quickly sent it back out to set up the score as Tomar finished just outside the box, putting the ball in the bottom right side of the net with her right foot.
 
"We had a number of chances in and around the box which was awesome and I was so happy Mallaika finally scored her goal," said Bartholomew. "She's been getting to goal every single game and so for her to get that goal was great for us."
 
The Lions doubled their lead in the 80th minute using two passes to get the ball through the box to senior midfielder Maddie Temares who finished with her right foot for her second goal of the season. First-year forwards Shira Cohen and Ally Clark had the double assist.
 
On the defensive end, Columbia worked hard to limit Cornell's scoring chances, allowing only four shots and two shots on goal. Meanwhile, the Lions had 15 shots with eight of those coming on frame.
 
First-year keeper Liz Matei improves to 6-2-1 having started all nine contests yet for the Lions, recording her fourth clean sheet with a pair of saves on the day.
 
Earning its fourth-straight win in the series against the Big Red, Columbia has now won 13 of the last 15 meetings between the two teams.  
 
Columbia returns home next Saturday, Oct. 5, for the Ivy home opener against Brown at 5 p.m. ET. The match will follow the men's matchup at 1 p.m., with an alumni event taking place between for both programs.
 
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.