Wednesday, February 22
New York, N.Y.
4:00 p.m.
Columbia University
vs
CCSU
Photo by: Columbia University Athletics/Mike McLaughlin
Lacrosse Ready for Home Opener Against CCSU
2/21/2023 6:00:00 PM | Lacrosse
Lions look to begin 2023 season 2-0 in opener at Robert K. Kraft Field
NEW YORK -- The Columbia lacrosse team returns to New York City on Wednesday afternoon, and will take on Central Connecticut State University in the team's home opener at Robert K. Kraft Field. The Lions will look to open the year 2-0 for the second consecutive season. The last time Columbia started 2-0 in consecutive seasons was 2009 and 2010. The game is scheduled to begin at 4 p.m.
LAST TIME OUT
The Lions opened the 2023 season on the road against the Lafayette Leopards on Saturday afternoon. Columbia earned a hard-fought, 15-13, win over the Leopards in a back-and-forth battle.
Columbia trailed by two goals entering the fourth quarter, but that would not deter the Lions. Annalisa Massaro's third goal of the game just a minute into the final frame pulled Columbia within one, and then Dani Falcone followed that up by firing back-to-back goals just over one minute apart to give Columbia its first lead of the second half.
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 the Lions' first-years.
"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."
FIRST-YEAR MAGIC
The first years were the story for Columbia in the season opener, 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 and an assist. Annalisa Massaro tallied a hat trick, while Cordelia Flemming and Serena Hong also chipped in a goal each.
Head Coach Anne Murray was extremely impressed with the effort of her young student-athletes. Senior Adele Swanson predicted a great showing from the first-years back in the Ivy League's media day, saying "Watch out for our youngins. We've got some great talent coming from our underclassmen, and I am so excited to see them on the field."
One game in, Swanson was spot on.
SCOUTING CCSU
CCSU is coming off a 2-12 season in 2022. Heading into this year, they were pegged to finish seventh in the NEC Preseason Coaches Poll.
The Blue Devils will be anchored by the 2022 NCAA saves per game leader, Kya Risher. Now a junior, Risher averaged 12.5 saver per game over her 2022 campaign and ranked 25th in the nation in save percentage. The Blue Devils return their top three offensive threats from a season ago as well. Olivia Gianakos led the way, tallying 26 points, including a team-best 23 goals.
Wednesday will be the 2023 season opener for CCSU.
ON DECK
The Lions will hit the road for a non-conference contest on Saturday, February 25 against Monmouth. Game time is set for 1 p.m. in New Jersey.
HOW TO FOLLOW
All Columbia home games will be streamed via ESPN+. You can find tomorrow's game HERE.
Live stats will be available via gocolumbialions.com, HERE.
For the latest on Columbia lacrosse, follow @CULionsLax on Twitter and Instagram, and on the web at GoColumbiaLions.com.
LAST TIME OUT
The Lions opened the 2023 season on the road against the Lafayette Leopards on Saturday afternoon. Columbia earned a hard-fought, 15-13, win over the Leopards in a back-and-forth battle.
Columbia trailed by two goals entering the fourth quarter, but that would not deter the Lions. Annalisa Massaro's third goal of the game just a minute into the final frame pulled Columbia within one, and then Dani Falcone followed that up by firing back-to-back goals just over one minute apart to give Columbia its first lead of the second half.
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 the Lions' first-years.
"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."
FIRST-YEAR MAGIC
The first years were the story for Columbia in the season opener, 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 and an assist. Annalisa Massaro tallied a hat trick, while Cordelia Flemming and Serena Hong also chipped in a goal each.
Head Coach Anne Murray was extremely impressed with the effort of her young student-athletes. Senior Adele Swanson predicted a great showing from the first-years back in the Ivy League's media day, saying "Watch out for our youngins. We've got some great talent coming from our underclassmen, and I am so excited to see them on the field."
One game in, Swanson was spot on.
SCOUTING CCSU
CCSU is coming off a 2-12 season in 2022. Heading into this year, they were pegged to finish seventh in the NEC Preseason Coaches Poll.
The Blue Devils will be anchored by the 2022 NCAA saves per game leader, Kya Risher. Now a junior, Risher averaged 12.5 saver per game over her 2022 campaign and ranked 25th in the nation in save percentage. The Blue Devils return their top three offensive threats from a season ago as well. Olivia Gianakos led the way, tallying 26 points, including a team-best 23 goals.
Wednesday will be the 2023 season opener for CCSU.
ON DECK
The Lions will hit the road for a non-conference contest on Saturday, February 25 against Monmouth. Game time is set for 1 p.m. in New Jersey.
HOW TO FOLLOW
All Columbia home games will be streamed via ESPN+. You can find tomorrow's game HERE.
Live stats will be available via gocolumbialions.com, HERE.
For the latest on Columbia lacrosse, follow @CULionsLax on Twitter and Instagram, and on the web at GoColumbiaLions.com.
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