NEW YORK -- The Columbia lacrosse team (3-1) bounced back nicely from its first loss of the season over the weekend with a gritty, 10-8, victory over the Manhattan Jaspers (3-2) on Wednesday afternoon. Columbia's defense held the Jaspers in check through the first half, allowing the Lions' offense to explode for six goals in the third quarter which would be enough to hold off a late fourth-quarter surge from Manhattan and propel Columbia to the victory.
Cecelia Messner and
Dani Falcone each had hat tricks to lead the Lions' attack.
Gianna Danese and
Ellie Taylor each had two goals, accounting for Columbia's other four goals on the afternoon. Taylor, along with
Kate Cunning, also added an assist in the game.
Messner struck first for the Lions, finding the back of the net at the 11:12 mark of the first quarter to put Columbia in front 1-0.
Falcone would then convert two consecutive free position attempts only 40 seconds apart midway through the quarter to extend that lead to 3-0.
Manhattan chipped away, scoring a goal with just 32 seconds left to play in the quarter, and then just 48 seconds into the second quarter to cut its deficit to just one goal. However, Falcone would answer with her third free position goal of the afternoon at the 7:42 mark of the period to extend Columbia's cushion back to two.
The defenses took over from that point, although they were on display for the majority of the first half, as only one more goal was scored the rest of the second quarter. Goalkeeper
Ella Sangree had seven saves by halftime, leading a defense that was helping preserve a 4-3 Lions lead at the break.
This defensive effort gave Columbia's offense a chance to find its footing at halftime, as the Lions attack blitzed the Jaspers in the third quarter and scored six goals. Meanwhile, the defense continued its great play, allowing just one goal in that span. Sophomore
Ellie Taylor scored her first two goals of the season in the quarter, while senior captain
Gianna Danese also burst onto the scene. She scored the first goal of her career at the 14:18 mark of the third quarter, and then found the back of the net again just three minutes later.
Columbia took a 10-4 lead into the fourth, but did not score the rest of the way. Manhattan made things interesting, scoring four unanswered goals to cut its deficit to just two, but the Lions would hold on for the 10-8 victory.
Sangree earned her third win between the pipes for the Lions, picking up 15 saves in the process and leading the team with six ground balls. Along with her three goals, Messner also led Columbia with three caused turnovers and added a ground ball. Taylor had a team-high two draw controls.
The Lions will open up Ivy League play on Saturday when they return home to host Penn at 1 p.m.
For the latest on Columbia lacrosse, follow @CULionsLax on Twitter and Instagram, and on the web at GoColumbiaLions.com.
