Columbia University
Yale
Men's Soccer Plays Yale to 0-0 Draw on Senior Night
10/29/2022 9:53:00 PM | Men's Soccer
NEW YORK — Though no goals cracked the scoreboard, Columbia and Yale played a thrilling, action-packed match on a seasonably cool Saturday night at Rocco B. Commisso Soccer Stadium.
The pregame was highlighted by the festivities that took place for four graduating seniors, as the Lions honored the careers of Brian Timoney, Keenan Foley, Nic Jandeleit and Max Gonzalez. Timoney, Foley and Gonzalez all joined the roster together as first-years in 2019. Jandeleit was a newcomer to the class this season as an academic transfer out of Oberlin College. The four were joined on the field by friends and family before the game kicked off at 7 p.m.
"They've been challenged with so many things as a group over the course of their time here," said head coach Kevin Anderson when asked about the senior group. "They've done an amazing job of figuring out ways to continue to take steps forward and it's what we've always asked. These seniors are great examples for the rest of the guys on the team. I have the utmost respect for all of them - they are phenomenal."
As for the game, Columbia (1-7-6, 0-1-4 Ivy) arguably had the better of both halves. The best chance of the first half came 16 minutes in from Will Denight. The junior chested down a ball in the box and made a quick turnaround to fire off a shot that was only kept out by a diving save by Elian Haddock. The Yale keeper was credited with three stops on the evening.
"Their keeper had to make a few saves under duress and Michael Collodi had to make one in my view," Anderson added. "This group finds ways to manage hard situations. I think we had the better of play in the first half, but I think they had the better of it in the second half up until 10 minutes to go."
A critical sequence by Collodi came in the 20th minute. Yale sent in a corner and that was headed right in front of goal by Pablo Carroll. Just feet from the shot, Collodi reacted and punched it off the crossbar. The rebounded save went back out into the penalty area and eventually made its way to Eric Lagos, who cracked a hard shot at goal that Collodi cut off the angle on before clearing it out of danger.
Yale nearly scored in the opening 11 minutes of the second half off a bicycle attempt by Carroll that slammed off the crossbar. Again, the ball came right back out to the penalty area and Quanah Braboy dribbled a weak shot that had to be cleared off the goal line by Carmine Falco.
Columbia kept fighting and earned chances at the winner late. Ryan Kipness subbed on and made a run by two defenders before firing a left-footed shot that beat the keeper to his right but was outside the far post. In the dying seconds, Kipness sent in a corner kick that met the head of Alessandro Franciosa, but the shot went wide of target as the final horn sounded to signal the end of the match.
The Lions conclude the season with two games against two Ivy League teams ranked inside the United Soccer Coaches Top 25. Columbia will take on No. 10 Penn (10-2-2, 4-1-0 Ivy) next Saturday before finishing out the year at No. 25 Cornell (12-3-0, 4-1-0 Ivy) on Nov. 12.
For the latest on Columbia men's soccer, be sure to follow the team on Twitter and Instagram (@CULionsMSOC), on Facebook (ColumbiaMensSoccer), or by visiting GoColumbiaLions.com.
