PROVIDENCE, R.I. – The Columbia defense continued to shine Saturday night in a 1-0 win on the road at Providence. The Lions improve to 6-1-1 overall this season, riding a streak of five-straight shutouts and four-straight wins.
 
Entering the matchup at Providence, Columbia led the nation in goals-against average with an average of 0.143 goals per game. In seven games, the Lions only allowed one goal in a loss to No. 8 Santa Clara.
 
Columbia continued to carry its momentum Saturday as the Lions recorded their seventh clean sheet of the season. Senior goalkeeper Paige Nurkin played a critical role in the shutout victory as she faced a season-high 18 shots and registered a season-high eight saves.
 
Columbia last recorded five-straight shutouts in 2016. The 2016 team proceeded to post a program record seven-straight shutouts. The only other time Columbia has earned five consecutive shutouts was 2004.
 
Fellow team captain and senior forward Shira Cohen was responsible for the lone goal of the game to help lead the Lions to the win. After a scoreless first half, Cohen found the net in the 60^th minute on an assist from senior forward Nata Ramirez.
 
Cohen helped lead the offensive attack with two shots on goal in the contest. She converted one for the game-winning goal. Junior forward Claire Pinnie also registered two shots on goal, while sophomore Maia Tabion had one.
 
The win over Providence will be significant in next week's United Soccer Coaches East Region rankings. Columbia was No. 9 in last week's rankings, while Providence came in at No. 5. The Lions were the fourth-highest ranked Ivy League team in the East Region standings.
 
UP NEXT
The Lions return home to start Ivy League play next Saturday. Columbia will host Penn for a 6 p.m. kickoff at Rocco B. Commisso Soccer Stadium.

FOLLOWING THE LIONS
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