NEW YORK – Columbia scored three goals in just under three minutes Sunday evening at Rocco B. Commisso Soccer Stadium to defeat Loyola Maryland 3-0 in the second shutout victory of the weekend for the Lions. The 2-0 start marks the first time since 2001 that Columbia has opened the season with back-to-back wins.
"I thought we came out with great energy," Columbia Women's Soccer Head Coach
Tracey Bartholomew said. "I am really proud of the girls for staying focused. Overall, it was a great effort all the way through by all the players. To have a lot of the fire power back in our program healthy and playing, you see we can combine to score goals, which is great."
Senior midfielder
Kat Jordan struck first in the 20
th minute on an assist by senior forward
Nata Ramirez to put the Lions in front early. Ramirez slipped the ball to Jordan on the run and Jordan was able to fire a perfect shot into the net to finish off the scoring play.
Under a minute later, Ramirez found herself in the scoring column as she powered past a defender and goalkeeper to put the ball in the net and give the Lions a 2-0 lead.
Junior defender
Ania Prussak scored the third goal of the evening in the 22
nd minute. Sophomore
Maia Tabion was credited with the assist as the Lions quickly took a commanding 3-0 lead. Tabion passed the ball to Prussak from the left side and Prussak was able to find the net as she was in a great position in front of the goal.
"The assist from Maia (Tabion) to Ania (Prussak) was a sweet play," Bartholomew said. "The reality is we have great players in the program. It's great to go out there and keep a clean sheet and score three goals. I am always happy scoring goals."
Senior goalkeeper
Paige Nurkin played the first half and recorded one save. Senior goalkeeper
Elizabeth Matei came in for the second half.
Columbia will head to California for its next two matches. The Lions will face No. 13 Santa Clara on Thursday at 10:30 p.m. ET. Columbia will wrap up its trip with a game at San Francisco on Sunday at 4 p.m. ET.
FOLLOWING THE LIONS
For the latest on the Columbia women's soccer program, follow @CULionsWSOC on
Twitter,
Instagram, Facebook at
Facebook.com/ColumbiaWSoccer and on the web at
GoColumbiaLions.com.