NEW HAVEN, Conn. — Yale scored the game's only goal in the first half and held off a relentless Columbia attack to defeat the Lions, 1-0, Saturday afternoon in Ivy League women's soccer action at Reese Stadium.
 
The deciding goal was created by a corner. Yale (7-5-3, 2-1-2 Ivy) played the ball in near the end line and the back out to the far corner. They recycled their runs as Ellie Rappole sent in a cross that found the head of an unmarked Marz Akins, who headed it in from six yards out to push the home team ahead.
 
Columbia (7-4-3, 3-2-1 Ivy) had controlled the opening 10-15 minutes of the game with constant pressure on the Yale goal. The Bulldogs, who have now not allowed a goal in over 400 minutes, began to counter and get into the game. Senior goalkeeper Paige Nurkin made a few fantastic stops to keep Yale off the board as long as possible.
 
By the half-hour mark, both sides were trading possession and getting off looks. Following the Yale goal, the Lions played a short corner that resulted in Sophia Cavaliere firing off a shot from just outside the 18 that clanged off the crossbar. It was the best look of the half for Cavaliere, who took four of Columbia's five shots in the opening 45 minutes.
 
The Lions kept the pressure on in the second half but could never find the elusive equalizer. A good spell of possession near the hour mark would create a few of the best chances. It began with a good run by Maia Tabion, who played a ball through for Ally Clark up at the far post. Clark got off a shot at a tough angle that was cleared away by the goalkeeper.
 
Seconds later, Shira Cohen got off a similar shot from the near post that was stopped in the bottom-right corner by Marissa Sharrock. The Yale keeper made eight saves on the day.
 
Another chance presented itself off a corner kick for the Lions. Courtney Ruedt headed a shot off the crossbar, got it back and smashed it into the back of the net. However, Ruedt was whistled for a foul by the head official, negating the goal and keeping Yale in front.
 
Columbia ended the game with a 12-8 advantage in shots, including a 7-1 advantage in the second half. Paige Nurkin started the first half and made four saves in goal, while Liz Matei played all 45 of the second half and was not bothered.
 
The Lions conclude the season next Saturday at Harvard. Kickoff from Cambridge, Massachusetts is set for 4 p.m.

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