NEW YORK - The Columbia lacrosse team will hit the road on Tuesday afternoon for a non-conference contest against the Central Connecticut State Blue Devils. First draw will be at 3 p.m. in New Britain. 

The Lions (3-9) will look to earn their second consecutive non-conference victory against the Blue Devils (2-10), and finish the out-of-conference portion of their schedule at .500. Columbia is 3 -4 so far in non-conference games, with three of those losses coming by the exact score of 13-12. With a win, the Lions would finish .500 or better in their non-Ivy League games for the first time since 2017. 


LAST TIME OUT
Last time out, Columbia was defeated 17-7 by the Dartmouth Big Green on Saturday in New Hampshire

With 5:54 remaining in the second quarter, Dani Falcone scooped up a draw control which was the 114th of her career. This moved her into sole possession of fourth place on the program's all-time draw controls list. 

The highlight of the game came from Anna Becker just before the final seconds of the game clock expired. For the second time this season, Becker converted a no-look, behind-the-back goal off a beautiful feed from Falcone. Her impressive rookie season continues. 

Columbia's most recent non-conference game came against Wagner last Wednesday, with the Lions earning a 16-8 victory. A career-high five goals from Falcone and a career-high matching five goals from Cecelia Messner sealed the deal, while Sophie Zachara also added a hat trick. 


SCOUTING CCSU
The Blue Devils enter Tuesday's game with a 2-10 overall record, but a 2-3 record at home. CCSU has lost four games in a row, and has seven losses in its last eight games. 

The Lions and Blue Devils have a few common opponents, including Wagner and Lafayette. Columbia beat Wagner 16-8, while CCSU lost to the Seahawks 19-11. The Leopards beat both the Lions and Blue Devils, but only beat Columbia by one goal while they beat CCSU by 10 goals. 

Last season, the Blue Devils went 4-11, including a 1-6 record at home. Columbia and CCSU squared off in February at Kraft Field, with the Lions picking up a 16-4 win behind four goals from Cordelia Flemming. 

So far this season, Lauren Valluzzi leads CCSU with 18 goals, 17 assists, and 35 points. Kya Risher has a team-high 37 ground balls, while Talie Richardson leads the team with 69 draw controls. 


ON DECK
Columbia will return home on Saturday for its final game at Kraft Field this season. The Lions will take on Harvard at 1 p.m. and honor their seniors after the game. 

The Lions' full 2024 schedule can be found HERE. 


HOW TO FOLLOW
All Columbia home games and all Ivy League contests will be streamed via ESPN+. You can find tomorrow's game via NEC Front Row, HERE.

Live stats will be available via CCSU's website, HERE. 

For the latest on Columbia lacrosse, follow @CULionsLax on Twitter and Instagram, on Facebook at Facebook.com/ColumbiaLax and on the web at GoColumbiaLions.com.