EASTON, Pa. -- The Columbia women's lacrosse team kicked off its 2023 campaign with a road contest against the Lafayette Leopards on Saturday afternoon in Pennsylvania. In a back-and-forth battle, the Lions emerged with a 15-13 victory over the Leopards.
"The whole team competed together against Lafayette," Head Coach
Anne Murray said. "The first game energy was contagious all across the field. Balanced scoring and a focused defense allowed us to rely on many players in tough moments. We fought hard and came back from a 2 goal deficit late in the game and that experience will prove to be incredibly valuable as the season goes on. Game one is done and we are preparing hard for the next."
The first years were the story for Columbia, combining for nine of the Lions 15 goals in the game to help lead the Lions to the victory.
Cecelia Messner led the way with four goals.
Annalisa Massaro tallied a hat trick, while
Cordelia Flemming and
Serena Hong also chipped in a goal each.
Dani Falcone wouldn't let the first-years have all the shine, picking up right where she left off last season with another hat trick.
Sophie Zachara was a draw control specialist last season, but made her mark on offense in the season opener, scoring a career-high three goals for a hat trick of her own.
The Leopards struck first in the game, but Columbia immediately answered when Messner found the back of the net with her first career goal at the 12:49 mark of the first quarter.
Lafayette went ahead again 2-1, but this time it was Massaro who answered with her first career goal to tie the game. Messner followed that up with her second goal to give the Lions their first lead with 6:44 to go in the first period.
Columbia took a 4-3 lead into the second quarter, and immediately extended that lead to 6-3 thanks to back-to-back goals from Massaro and Messner to begin the frame. The Leopards would go on a 4-1 run to close the second quarter, however, and tie things up heading into the break.
Lafayette looked to be gaining control of the game with a strong defensive effort in the third quarter, holding the Lions scoreless for the first 11 minutes of the half. The Leopards gained a two point edge in that time, which would hold until the end of the third quarter. Columbia trailed 11-9 heading into the fourth.
Massaro's third goal of the game just a minute into the final quarter pulled the Lions within one, and then Falcone fired back-to-back goals just over one minute apart to give Columbia its first lead of the half.
Zachara netted her second goal of the game to extend the lead to 13-11 with 6:03 left to play, but Lafayette would immediately answer to pull within one again. The teams battled as the clock ticked down, but ultimately It was deja vu for Zachara who collected her third goal of the game with 1:40 to go to give the Lions a two point cushion again.
In a fitting end to the contest, first-year
Serena Hong scored her first career goal with just one second remaining to put the finishing touches on the victory, capping an incredible first game for Columbia's first-years.
Ella Sangree got the start between the pipes for Columbia, picking up the win along with six saves. She also had three ground balls, tied with Messner for the team-lead. Falcone had a game-high seven draw controls. Senior Adele Swanson had two ground balls and a caused turnover. The Lions were a perfect 14-14 on clears in the game, and had advantage in turnovers with just 11 to Lafayette's 13.
Columbia will look to make it two in a row on Wednesday, February 22, when the Lions will host CCSU for their home opener at Robert K. Kraft Field. The game is scheduled to begin at 4 p.m.
For the latest on Columbia lacrosse, follow @CULionsLax on Twitter and Instagram, and on the web at GoColumbiaLions.com.
