Columbia University
Quinnipiac
Lions Welcome Quinnipiac to Commisso Soccer Stadium Tuesday Night
9/18/2023 5:49:00 PM | Men's Soccer
First matchup between programs since 2014
NEW YORK — The Columbia men's soccer team (1-2-2) plays at home for the first time in two weeks this Tuesday night when it takes on Quinnipiac (2-2-1). First kick from Rocco B. Commisso Soccer Stadium is set for 7 p.m. ET.
GAME COVERAGE:
Fans unable to attend the game can watch live on ESPN+. Fans can also track the live stats courtesy of GoColumbiaLions.com. In-game updates will also be provided on the @CULionsMSOC Twitter and Instagram accounts.
BACK FROM TWO WEEKS AWAY:
Columbia returns home from a three-match road swing at Sacred Heart, Rutgers and LIU. The Lions were an unbeaten 1-0-1 heading into those matches before falling to the Pioneers, 1-0, and Rutgers, 2-0. They bounced back to earn a draw in their most recent match this past Saturday at LIU, 1-1. Despite the outcomes, Columbia outshot Sacred Heart, 12-7, and was in a one-goal game with Rutgers all the way until the final minute. They got nine saves from senior goalkeeper Michael Collodi against the Scarlet Knights. Saturday's draw at LIU saw Columbia open the scoring in the 58th minute courtesy of Chad Baker's second goal of the season. However, the lead was short-lived as the Sharks answered less than two minutes later to bring the game back on level terms.
DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEKWhat a goal!#NCAASoccer x 🎥 @CULionsMSOC
— NCAA Soccer (@NCAASoccer) September 16, 2023
pic.twitter.com/WCofwaLj7e
Senior goalkeeper Michael Collodi was named the Ivy League Defensive Player of the Week on Monday for games played Sept. 11-17. A product of Dallas FC Academy and native of Frisco, Texas, Collodi came up with a season-high nine saves at Rutgers and followed with five more at LIU. His nine-save performance was one off his career-high 10 from 2021. Among those saves were multiple highlight-worthy diving stops. Collodi even stopped a penalty kick in the game's first 10 minutes in Saturday's 1-1 draw at LIU.
Collodi now ranks among the top goalkeepers in the Ivy League and all of the NCAA. He leads the Ivies in save percentage (.833), total saves (25) and minutes played (450:00), and is second in the league in goals against average (1.00), as well as saves per game (5.00). Nationally, the senior is top 20 in save percentage and saves per game. He is also now at 209 career saves, giving him the fifth-most saves all-time at Columbia and six behind Alexander Aurrichio (2008-10) for fourth.
DEVELOPING THE ATTACK👀🔙 Check out the highlights from Michael's 14-save week #RoarLionRoar #NCAASoccer pic.twitter.com/curucgIlDP
— Columbia Men's Soccer (@CULionsMSOC) September 18, 2023
Columbia has made huge strides on the attack this season. Last year, they ranked 200th or worse out of 203 teams in NCAA Div. I soccer in scoring offense (0.50), total goals (8), total points (19), total assists (3), shots on goal per game (2.94), shot accuracy (0.343), points per game (1.19) and assists per game (0.19). This season, the Lions are averaging 1.00 goals per game through five matches, and are among the top half of the NCAA in assists per game (1.40) and total assists (7). Additionally, Carmine Falco ranks No. 24 in the NCAA at 0.60 assists per game, while Will DeNight is top 50 nationally in goals per game (0.60) and shot accuracy (0.583).
A LOOK AT QUINNIPIAC⏱️ 1️⃣5️⃣ SECONDS!
— Columbia Men's Soccer (@CULionsMSOC) September 8, 2023
Walley ➡️ Newman ➡️ DeNight ➡️ GOAL ⚽️#RoarLionRoar #NCAASoccer @NCAASoccer pic.twitter.com/IsqKAaPyb6
The Bobcats are stout defensively, owning a goals-against average of 0.800, which ranks top 30 in the NCAA. Their shutout percentage (.400) is top 50 and their save percentage (.810) is top 30. Karl Netzell has stood between the pipes for all 450 minutes of game action this season. On the attack, QU averages 1.40 goals per game. Their leading goal scorers are Brage Aasen and Francisco Ferreira with two goals apiece. They are coming off a 1-0 road loss at CCSU last Tuesday but defeated La Salle, 3-0, three days prior. Columbia is the third of four straight road matches for the Bobcats. They will visit Canisius on Saturday before returning home on September 26.
THE SERIESWe're finally back in action tomorrow to face Columbia!
— Quinnipiac Men's Soccer (@QU_MSOC) September 18, 2023
📰PREVIEW: https://t.co/R55QwkyF5y#BobcatNation pic.twitter.com/JL2bXIlBzI
Tuesday will mark the first matchup between Columbia and Quinnipiac since since September 20, 2014. That game came in Connecticut and resulted in a 2-0 victory for the Bobcats. The last time QU visited New York was September 26, 2008, defeating the Lions in the second overtime period, 2-1. Columbia's last victory came at home in October of 2006 by a score of 2-1. Quinnipiac leads the all-time series, 3-1-1, which began in 2004.
FOLLOW THE LIONS:
For the latest on Columbia men's soccer, be sure to follow the team on Twitter and Instagram (@CULionsMSOC), on Facebook (ColumbiaMensSoccer), or by visiting GoColumbiaLions.com.
