NEW YORK – Columbia took the lead early and added two goals in the second half to cruise to a 3-0 win against Hofstra in the season opener Friday afternoon at Rocco B. Commisso Soccer Stadium. It was the Lions' first season opening shutout victory since 2016 when Columbia posted a 4-0 on the road at Iona.
"That's how you get going," Columbia Women's Soccer Head Coach
Tracey Bartholomew said. "There are a lot of nerves in the first game and there is also a lot of adrenaline. I think we had a great game plan. A lot of different players came up with some great minutes. I am really proud of the extra efforts everyone had around the box. I think that is probably the most shots we have generated in a little while, so I feel really good about that."
Sophomore
Maia Tabion was responsible for the first goal of the 2023 season as she scored in the 12
th minute on an assist by junior
Stephanie Jung and senior
Nata Ramirez. Jung intercepted a goal kick and Ramirez got the ball and flicked it off to the side to set up the shot for Tabion to give the Lions the early lead.
Coming out of the break, Columbia added its second goal of the afternoon in the 67
th minute. Senior forward
Kendall McBride found the net on an assist from Tabion and junior defender
Sam Cohn. Tabion sent the ball in on a corner kick as Cohn headed it down to McBride, who finished the play to give Columbia a 2-0 advantage.
The Lions added one more goal in the 81
st minute to polish off the 3-0 shutout win over the Pride. Junior forward
Claire Pinnie found senior forward
Madi Pilla on the run and Pilla cleaned up the play by sending the ball high in the net.
"(
Madi Pilla) is a natural goal scorer", Bartholomew said. "She is working her way back from some tough injuries her whole career. To see her score today, your heart melts as a coach. It was awesome."
Senior goalkeeper
Paige Nurkin played all 90 minutes in the goal as she registered three saves in the win.
As a unit, the Lions had 19 total shots and six shots on goal. McBride led the way with two shots on goal, while senior
Kat Jordan tallied four shots and one shot on goal.
Columbia returns to action Sunday as the Lions welcome Loyola Maryland to Rocco B. Commisso Soccer Stadium. Kickoff is slated for 6 p.m.
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