NEW YORK -- The Columbia lacrosse team (3-8) hosted its Pride Game on Saturday evening at Robert K. Kraft. The Lions welcomed UConn to New York City for the contest, but it was the Huskies who emerged with a 16-8 victory.
Cecelia Messner led the Lions attack with two goals and one assist. Gianna Danese had one of the best games of her career, scoring two goals which included her first career goal at Kraft Field. Lindsay Schuster scored her second goal of the season, while Victoria Ruffo netted her first. Dani Falcone and Kate Cunning each found the back of the net once.
Racing against the looming lightning storms, UConn stormed out to a 7-0 lead quickly in the first quarter which set the tone for the game. Messner put an end to the run with her first goal at the 1:51 mark of the first quarter to put the Lions on the board. However, after trading one goal each, the Huskies went on another big run, this time a 4-0 run, to take a 12-2 lead right before the half came to a close. UConn would go on to lead 13-3 at the half.
The Lions defense held the Huskies to just three goals in the second half, but were unable to get all the way back into the game. The offense began to come alive in the fourth quarter, but it wouldn't be enough. The Huskies held on for the win.
Goalkeepers Ella Sangree and Emma Neclerio combined for eight saves. Ellie Taylor had a team-high four draw controls. Ellie Eisner had two ground balls and a caused turnover.
The Lions will resume Ivy League play on Saturday, April 8 with a road contest against Princeton. The game is scheduled to begin at 3 p.m. in New Jersey.
For the latest on Columbia lacrosse, follow @CULionsLax on Twitter and Instagram, and on the web at GoColumbiaLions.com.
PRIDE GAME
At today's game, the Lions were raising funds for the Trevor Project.
The Trevor Project is the leading advocate for LGBTQ youth mental health
in preventative and intervention efforts at the federal, state, and local level to
address factors that place
LGBTQ youth at significantly higher risk of suicide.
For more information, visit thetrevorproject.org.
To donate, click HERE.
