NEW YORK — Jake Novoshelski's 45th-minute header gave the Columbia men's soccer team a 1-0 lead but the Lions ultimately wound up settling for just one point against visiting Penn Saturday night at Rocco B. Commisso Soccer Stadium.
 
Columbia (1-6-3, 0-1-1 Ivy) went in front just 32 seconds before halftime when Will DeNight sent in a cross from the far side near the corner flag. Matthew Leong challenged Penn keeper Nick Christoffersen for the ball, which resulted in a deflection right at Novoshelski. Standing a step outside the six-yard box, the sophomore headed a bouncing shot right into the center of the goal to give the Lions the lead.
 
Penn (4-3-2, 0-1-1 Ivy) came up with the equalizer in the 73rd minute on a hard right-footed shot off the foot of Stas Korzeniowski that just missed the hands of a diving Michael Collodi. That goal would prove to be the final tally of the match with both teams earning their first point of the Ivy League campaign.
 
"I think over the course of the last few games we have had more consistent moments of controlling the tempo," Columbia head coach Kevin Anderson said. "I think tonight you saw it. In the first half, we didn't control as much of it, but in the second half and in overtime I thought we controlled quite a bit of the game despite allowing the goal.
 
"Now it just comes down to finishing opportunities and quality moments. To be fair, we created a few half chances, the goal and three more clear opportunities. We'll stay encouraged with the group and keep putting forward our best effort. These guys want to grow and get better."
 
Columbia had its chances to take all three points and nearly did it in the waning seconds of the first overtime. With time winding down, Leong sent a ball in from the far corner that Will Todd kept alive. Paolo Primavera then sent it back into the center of the area for Max Gonzalez, but his header as time expired was caught by Christoffersen.
 
Will DeNight had two very good looks at goal in the final minutes of the second 10-minute session. His first came from inside the left half of penalty area and was a right-footed attempt that curled around the far post. His second came from a few yards outside the six on the right half of the area that he blasted hard and low but also wide of goal.
 
The final stats showed the two teams played just as even in possession as they did on the final scoreline. Columbia took nine shots on the night, two on goal, while Penn had five of its 11 attempts come on target. Collodi made four saves.
 
Half of Rocco B. Commisso Soccer Stadium thought Columbia had scored early on. The Lions earned a 12th-minute corner that Ryan Kipness weighted beautifully toward the far post. Keenan Foley rushed in on it and squared up a header that appeared in from the stands but missed just wide of the target.
 
The Lions pressured a few more times before Novoshelski eventually found the back of the net. Brian Timoney had one of those look when he tried to volley in a cross sent in from distance, but his attempt hit off the wrong part of his laces and skied over the bar.
 
Columbia plays its next two matches on the road, visiting Princeton for a 4 p.m. kick next Saturday and heading to Dartmouth the week after.

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