Late Goal Lifts Women’s Soccer Past Harvard, 2-1

Saturday, October 5

Cambridge, Mass.

4:00 PM

Columbia University

4-3-3, 2-0-0

Harvard

4-2-4, 0-2-0

Columbia

Harvard

Photo by: Harvard Athletics

Late Goal Lifts Women’s Soccer Past Harvard, 2-1

10/5/2024 8:08:00 PM | Women's Soccer

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First-year Angel Akanyirige scores game-winning goal in the 87th minute

By: Garret Sulak

CAMBRIDGE, Mass. – Columbia women's soccer first-year Angel Akanyirige scored the game-winning goal in the 87^th minute of Saturday's contest to help Columbia secure its first win over Harvard since 2007.

Columbia (4-3-3, 2-0-0 Ivy) earned its third straight win Saturday to start conference play with a 2-0 mark. The 2-0 start to Ivy League play is Columbia's best since 2018 when the Lions also got off to a 2-0 start.

Columbia and Harvard played a scoreless first half that saw eight total shots. The Lions outshot the Crimson, 5-3 in the half. Harvard tallied three saves in the first half compared to Columbia's one.

The Lions got on the scoreboard first in the 59^th minute as Marcia Ojo found the net. Nata Ramirez was credited with the assist as she passed the ball to Ojo from near the post. Ojo stepped up and fired the ball through the left side of the goal to put Columbia in front.

Columbia's lead didn't last long though as Harvard scored just a minute later to even the score. Aslaug Gunnlaugsdottir notched her third goal of the season to keep the Crimson in the game.

Following two quick goals, both teams were on the hunt for a late goal to escape with a win. Akanyirige proved to be the playmaker that helped Columbia breakthrough and escape Cambridge with a win. Ramirez earned her second assist of the game as she made the pass to Akanyirige for a long goal in the 87^th minute that proved to be the dagger in the 2-1 victory.

Columbia again outshot Harvard in the second half, 7-5. Overall, the Lions outshot the Crimson, 12-8. Ojo led the squad with two shots, both on goal. Five other Lions also registered a shot in the win.

Lauren Rodriguez got the start and played all 90 minutes in the net. Rodriguez played a pivotal role in the win with four saves.

UP NEXT
Columbia returns home for a pair of Ivy League games next week. The Lions will host Cornell on Wednesday at 4:30 p.m. for the annual Pride Game. Columbia will end the week with a 1 p.m. matchup against Dartmouth on Sunday.

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.