NEW YORK — No. 14 Harvard broke a scoreless tie in the 52nd minute and came away with a 4-1 victory over the Columbia field hockey team Friday night. The Crimson's (6-1, 1-0) Kiley Allen scored three unanswered in the span of five minutes to hand the Lions (6-1, 0-1) their first loss of the season.

Senior goalkeeper Alexa Conomikes nearly stole the show though, making 12 saves on the night and fending off a barrage of other corner opportunities and scoring chances. 

Columbia was held to just one shot on goal and was only awarded two corners for the evening, but played an organized game and appeared to get stronger as the contest went on before Harvard broke through.

Allen's first goal was a chip-in off a corner, putting in the initial shot from Hannah Pearce with 8:55 left in regulation. Conomikes blockered away another shot before the Crimson doubled the advantage nearly two minutes later. Lucy Leel kept possession on the offensive end line and centered a pass to Allen in front, whose reverse shot trickled off the pad on Conomikes and in.

In the 57th minute, Siofra Murdoch drove into the circle on a corner try and took a shot that was scooped up by Allen, who completed the hat trick.

Columbia opted to pull Conomikes for an extra attacker and got on the board less than a minute later. On the left side of the goal, Sophie Rockefeller crossed a pass to Anabelle Brodeur and put the first goal past Harvard netminder Ellie Schabo this season. Brodeur's tally was her third of the season, and Rockefeller now leads the squad with four assists.

However, the Crimson put the finishing touches on things with 90 seconds remaining when Pearce's shot off a corner deflected off a defender's stick and snuck in under the crossbar.

Another Ivy League contest is on deck for the Lions when they face Cornell on Saturday, October 2 at noon in Ithaca. The game will be broadcast live on ESPN+.

For the latest on Columbia field hockey, follow @CULionsFH on social media and GoColumbiaLions.com for more updates.