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Nata Ramirez
Columbia University Athletics
1
Columbia COL (11-5-3, 3-2-2)
2
Winner Clemson CU (17-3-3, 7-2-1)
Columbia COL
(11-5-3, 3-2-2)
1
Final
2
Clemson CU
(17-3-3, 7-2-1)
Winner
Score By Periods
Team 1 2 F
Columbia COL 0 1 1
Clemson CU 2 0 2

Game Recap: Women's Soccer | | Garret Sulak

Women’s Soccer Falls to Clemson, Ends NCAA Tournament Run

Nata Ramirez scored in the second half, but Clemson held on for a 2-1 win

CLEMSON, S.C. – Columbia's historic run in the NCAA Women's Soccer Tournament came to an end Friday night with a 2-1 loss to the 1-seed Clemson Tigers in the second round of the tournament. Columbia finishes the 2023 season with an 11-5-3 overall record.
 
The 11-win season is Columbia's first since 2008 and ranks as one of the best seasons in program history. Columbia earned an at-large bid and played in the NCAA Tournament for just the second time in program history and for the first time since 2006. The Lions secured their first NCAA Tournament victory in program history with a come-from-behind 2-1 win over Rutgers.
 
"This didn't just happen in the start of the season," Columbia Women's Soccer Head Coach Tracey Bartholomew said. "These girls have worked since last year to bring this program to the level it is capable of. We got great momentum with our backs against the wall and just fought so hard for everything. I'm just so proud of them. Just an incredible group of soccer players, but they're just even better as people. We pride ourselves on recruiting the right character to this program and they showed it this whole season. I'm glad they are getting the accolades and the recognition they deserve."
 
Clemson found the net twice in a five-minute span in the first half to take a 2-0 advantage into halftime. Megan Bornkamp struck first in the 28th minute on an assist from Renee Lyles. The roles switched minutes later when Lyles found the net in the 32nd minute and Bornkamp was credited with the assist.
 
Ania Prussak had the only look for the Lions in the first half. Prussak fired a low shot from outside the box that went straight into the keeper's arms in the middle of the net. Clemson outshot Columbia, 7-1 in the first half as the Tigers controlled most of the possession.
 
Columbia played with more aggression in the second half to wear down the Tigers defensively. The Columbia pressure gave the Lions more looks than in the first half. The team totaled three shots in the second half, which tied the Tigers' total.
 
The Lions got on the board in the 61st minute as Nata Ramirez fired a shot that deflected off the keeper and rolled into the net. Maia Tabion was credited with the assist to cut the Clemson lead in half.
 
"We just talked at halftime that we were just going to give 45 minutes of who we are," Bartholomew said. "I am just so proud of everybody's effort. There were a number of really great opportunities in the box against an excellent team."
 
Columbia had a few chances down the stretch, but could not convert as Clemson held on to its 2-1 advantage to take the win and advance to the third round of the NCAA Tournament.
 
Prussak, Kat Jordan, Ramirez and Samantha Weiss each registered one shot in the contest. Clemson outshout the Lions in total, 12-4. Goalkeeper Paige Nurkin played all 90 minutes in the net, allowing both Clemson goals. Nurkin tallied four saves in the loss.
 
FOLLOWING THE LIONS
For the latest on the Columbia women's soccer program, follow @CULionsWSOC on Twitter,  Instagram, Facebook at Facebook.com/ColumbiaWSoccer and on the web at GoColumbiaLions.com.
 
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