NEW YORK — The Columbia men's soccer team went toe-to-toe with one of the teams tied for first place in the Ivy League standings on a beautiful and mild Saturday afternoon at Rocco B. Commisso Soccer Stadium. After 90 minutes, the game was only decided by one moment, which was a penalty-kick goal by Penn in the 13th minute that sent the Quakers back to Philadelphia victorious, 1-0.
The penalty came following a long cross over the top sent into the left side of the area. Michael Hewes headed it from near the goal line back toward the center of the area for Stas Korzeniowski, who volleyed it off his right foot toward goal. The shot was blocked by Matthew Leong but head referee Ryan Nee whistled Leong for a handball on the block. Hewes would be the one to take the penalty and he converted from the spot.
"I thought we got off to a great start and had the better of it over the opening minutes," Columbia head coach Michael Casper said. "Penn gets awarded the penalty and, after that, I thought they were very comfortable with sitting deeper and forcing us to be able to break them down. We just needed to be a little sharper, a little cleaner and a little crisper with our passing to create the goal. That being said, I thought we continued to press and try to keep attacking. We just didn't create a clear enough chance and that was the difference today."
Shortly after the goal, Columbia (2-8-3, 0-5-1 Ivy) looked to be in on a ball played through for Jake Novoshelski. He was one-on-one with goalkeeper Nick Christoffersen, poking it past him and into the back of the net. However, the assistant referee had his flag up and ruled Novoshelski offside on the through ball, erasing the equalizing goal.
Another big moment in the first half came off one of Columbia's seven corners. Ryan Kipness played it into the area and two Quakers (6-3-5, 3-1-2 Ivy) leapt in an attempt to head it away. However, the ball was mistakenly sent toward the far post. There was nothing Christoffersen could do but watch it go by. Unlucky for Columbia, it clanged off the crossbar and was sent out of danger.
"These guys never quit," Casper added. "There is a lot of character in this group and their mentality is good. They want to win, they want to play hard and they want to play well. It doesn't take a lot to keep them motivated."
The Lions had another good burst in the opening minutes of the second half, creating a couple of consecutive corners and a hard shot by
Joao Lima that was blocked over the end line. Fifteen minutes in,
Adrien Wheaton-Schopp had an opportunity to get a shot away from inside the left half of the area but sent his attempt high and wide of the target.
When the final whistle sounded, the final stats showed 10 shots apiece for either side. The Lions put four on target while Penn had three, which included the penalty-kick goal.
The Lions close out the 2023 season at home next Saturday, hosting Cornell at Rocco B. Commisso Soccer Stadium. The team will honor its senior class during the pregame ceremonies. First kick is set for 6 p.m. ET.
"We have an opportunity to play not only one of the top teams in the Ivy League but one of the top teams in the country at home next weekend," Casper went on to say. "That's something we are going to be talking about, putting out a good performance and putting our stamp on the end of this season."
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