Columbia University
Davidson
Preview: Columbia Debuts at Home Against Davidson, Quinnipiac
9/1/2021 12:09:00 PM | Field Hockey
The Lions are primed to begin 2021 season with a pair of home contests on Friday and Sunday.
Fans attending games at the Baker Athletics Complex must adhere to Columbia Athletics and the University's venue protocols. Please find Columbia's venue policies here.
All policies and protocols are subject to change at any time.
WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW...
COLUMBIA'S STATUS
The Lions will take the pitch for the first time in 664 days when it opens the 2021 campaign Friday evening against Davidson. Columbia posted a 7-9 record in 2019 and posted the program's first-ever wins over ranked opponents (No. 22 BU and No. 24 Maine).
One. More. Week.#CUFH | #RoarLionRoar 🦁 🏑 pic.twitter.com/gT54nNR3be
— Columbia Field Hockey (@CULionsFH) August 27, 2021
DAVIDSON'S STATUS
The Wildcats split their opening weekend, bouncing back from a 4-0 loss to Indiana Friday to take down Central Michigan, 2-1, Sunday. Izzy Moody and Macy Curtis provided the goals. In net, Cato Roell has gotten both starts and has a 2.50 GAA with a .643 save percentage. Davidson went 4-7 in the spring.
QUINNIPIAC'S STATUS
The Bobcats fell to No. 7 Boston College, 3-0, last Friday. Nina Santore made seven saves on 10 shots, while Stella Tegtmeier and Julianna Cappello led the squad with two shots apiece. Quinnipiac posted a 2-7 during the 2021 spring season.
INSIDE THE SERIES - DAVIDSON
Friday will mark the first-ever meeting between the two schools.
INSIDE THE SERIES - QUINNIPIAC
The Lions hold a slight edge, 5-4, in a highly competitive series with the Bobcats. Seven of the nine contests have been decided by just one goal. Columbia took the last meeting, 2-1, on the road in 2019. Jaimie McCormick broke a 1-1 tie in the 44th minute to give the Lions the win.
DESANDIS SET FOR DEBUT
After a standout four-year playing career at Columbia and three seasons as an assistant coach for the Lions, Katie DeSandis '13CC will officially take the reigns of her alma mater Friday night. DeSandis is in her second year as the head coach after being promoted to the position in June 2020.
SISTER, SISTER
Columbia senior Allison Smith will face off against her twin sister, Julia, Friday night. Allison has been a two-year starter for the Lions and posted eight goals and 19 points in 2019. Julia has appeared in 47 contests for Davidson with five goals and three assists under her belt.
NEWS/NOTES
COLUMBIA IN SEASON OPENERS
Columbia is 11-13 all-time in season debuts. The Lions took down Central Michigan, 5-3, in 2019 to kick things off to snap a four-game slide on opening day.
LOOK WHO'S BACK
Columbia welcomes back seven starters from the 2019 squad, including seniors Alexa Conomikes and Kelsey Farkas, who were scheduled to graduate last spring. The duo took a semester off during the pandemic to retain their Columbia and Ivy League eligibility and will graduate this winter. A pair of 2019 All-Ivy League honorees also return in senior Allison Smith and junior Ellie Decker.
FRESH FACES
With the cancellation of the 2020 season due to COVID-19, the Lions have the potential of 10 student-athletes (five sophomores, five first-years) making their collegiate debuts this weekend.
TAKING ON THE BEST
The Lions typically face a strong strength of schedule and this year is no different. Four of Columbia's opponents (Harvard, Syracuse, Rutgers, Princeton) were ranked in the NFHCA Preseason Coaches' Poll. Additionally, two more have reached the NCAA Tournament (UAlbany, Fairfield) either in 2019 or last spring.
COACHING STAFF
Joining DeSandis' staff is former NCAA Champion goalkeeper Sarah Mansfield (UConn - 2013) and Remy Mason, who played professionally for HCAS in the Netherlands and with the USMNT Development program. Mansfield spent seven seasons as an assistant at UMass, while this marks Mason's first collegiate coaching position.
REPPING THE RED, WHITE AND BLUE
Over the summer, Kelsey Farkas became the first player in program history to be named to the USWNT where she will prepare for the 2022 PanAm Cup and World Cup qualifiers. Farkas, along with teammates Allison Smith and Jaimie McCormick participated at the Young Women's National Championships in Virginia Beach in June with Smith earning a nod to the U.S. Development Team Camp.
SILVER ANNIVERSARY SEASON
This season marks the 25th Anniversary of the Columbia Field Hockey program. Throughout the 2020-21 academic year, GoColumbiaLions.com will highlight some of the Lions' best players, look back at top moments and unveil a Silver Anniversary Team in October.
