NEW YORK – Sophia Cavaliere converted on a penalty kick in the 87
th minute Sunday afternoon to help the Columbia women's soccer team defeat Dartmouth, 1-0, and lock up sole possession of first place in the Ivy League standings with three conference games to go.
Columbia (6-3-3, 4-0-0 Ivy) had several good looks at the goal throughout the game, but had opportunities erased for being offsides and other penalties. A late penalty on Dartmouth gave Columbia the break it needed with a penalty kick with just under three minutes remaining on the game clock.
Cavaliere stepped up for the penalty kick attempt and fired a shot that made it past the Big Green goalkeeper in the bottom, right side of the net. The goal marked her second penalty kick goal and her second game-winning goal of the season. The late score helped Columbia escape with a 1-0 win over Dartmouth (6-5-2, 0-3-1 Ivy) for the team's fifth straight victory.
Cavaliere led the squad with four shots, including two on goal.
Marcia Ojo,
Sam Cohn and
Nata Ramirez each tallied two shots as Columbia outshot Dartmouth, 12-7.
The Columbia backfield played a major role in limiting Dartmouth's looks at the goal Sunday. The Lions and Big Green each took just three shots in the first half. Coming out of the break, Columbia controlled the possession better and limited Dartmouth to just four shots in the second half. Dartmouth's Hailey Rorick was responsible for the only two shots on goal the Big Green had in the loss.
Lauren Rodriguez got the start and played all 90 minutes in the net to help the Lions secure the win. Rodriguez registered two saves in the win as the Columbia backfield help limit Dartmouth's shot opportunities.
UP NEXT
The Lions hit the road next weekend to continue conference action at Brown. First kick on Saturday, October 19 in Providence is set for 3:30 p.m.
FOLLOWING THE LIONS
For the latest on the Columbia women's soccer program, follow @CULionsWSOC on X, Instagram, Facebook at Facebook.com/ColumbiaWSoccer and on the web at GoColumbiaLions.com.
