HANOVER, N.H. — In a game that saw them fall behind by two goals with a one-man advantage, the Columbia men's soccer team found a way to claw back in the final 15 minutes. Goals by
Jackson ten Oever and
Andres Garcia brought the Lions level and earned them a split of the points, 2-2, against Dartmouth on Saturday at Burnham Field.
The result brings Columbia (1-8-1, 1-1-1 Ivy) to four points through three Ivy League matches. The Lions are in a tie for fourth in the league table with Dartmouth (4-4-3, 1-1-1 Ivy). The top four at the end of the regular season qualify for the Ivy League Tournament.
"To bring the game back from 2-0 down on the road against a good team is one of the hardest things to do in soccer," Columbia head coach
Michael Casper said. "I give the guys a lot of credit to continue to grind and go and create chances. I'm happy we were able to find two goals, bring the game back and get a point from a difficult position."
Columbia went up a man in the 32nd minute when Dartmouth's Andrew Ellis was issued a straight red for a foul against
Jack McDaid. Following a scramble from a shot that went off the crossbar, Ellis attempted a bicycle kick in the box and instead kicked McDaid up high. After conferring with his linesman, referee Franco Somma reached into his front pocket and showed Ellis red.
Despite the disadvantage, five minutes later, the Big Green pounced on a mistake to grab the lead. It came from a free kick that the Lions were awarded deep in their own half. Columbia attempted to play the ball back but Dartmouth's Eidur Baldvinsson anticipated it and beat his man to it, stunning the Lions for the first goal of the game.
That remained the score at halftime, which saw Dartmouth take six shots to just one credited for Columbia. The Lions came out strong with a few good looks from
Ryan Yang early in the second half that needed to be saved. However, Dartmouth countered all that momentum by drawing a penalty kick and converting, doubling its lead with 30 minutes to go despite continuing to play a man down.
Columbia kept fighting, created some chances and eventually was rewarded in the 75th minute.
Joao Lima and
Andres Garcia lined up over a free kick 10 yards outside the top-right corner of the penalty area. Garcia whipped it in and
Jackson ten Oever met it perfectly, striking it out of the air with his right foot from eight yards and bringing the Lions back into the match.
"He scored a captain's goal for us," Casper added. "It was a moment when we needed something to fall for us to get the game back. Jackson was good in the back and tough on defense all game long. I'm happy to see him score his second goal."
Seven minutes later, Columbia brought the game level.
Will Case caught up to a ball near midfield and played it ahead down the left side for Garcia. The first-year was one-on-one with his marker, brought the ball into the box, stepped to his left and fired a left-footed shot that clipped the near post and bounced Columbia's way. The goal was the first of his collegiate career to go along with his first collegiate assist seven minutes earlier.
"Andres has real quality and quality that we see every day in training," Casper went on to say. "He's worked hard to put himself in a position to become a dangerous attacking player for us – in my opinion, one of the most dangerous attacking players in the Ivy League. I'm happy to see him take that step to get his first goal and look forward to seeing him get more opportunities like this in the future."
Both teams had a look to take all three points in the final minutes but both goalkeepers were up to the task.
Dean Kelliher ended the match with four saves.
Columbia hosts Princeton (5-3-0, 2-1-0 Ivy) for Alumni Day next Saturday at Rocco B. Commisso Soccer Stadium. First kick is scheduled for 4 p.m.
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