NEW YORK - The Columbia lacrosse team earned its first road win of the season on a rainy Wednesday night, taking down the Wagner Seahawks 16-8.
Career nights from
Dani Falcone and
Cecelia Messner helped lead the way, as the Lions continue their strong play in non-conference games. A career-high five goals from Falcone and a career-high matching five goals from Messner sealed the deal and improved Columbia to 3-4 in out-of-conference contests, with three of the four losses coming by just one goal.
"It was great to get back at it tonight with the Lions," Head Coach
Anne Murray said. "We played fast and together. We will take this momentum into a tough battle this weekend."
The Lions opened the game on a 3-0 run, with Messner kicking things off with back-to-back goals. Falcone also had two goals by the end of the first quarter, with Columbia leading 5-2 at the end of the first frame.
Sophie Zachara quickly made it 6-2 in favor of the Lions just over a minute into the second quarter, and then she would score her second goal of the game just over a minute later. Messner would have four goals by halftime, scoring two straight near the end of thee second quarter to put the Lions in front 10-5 at the break.
That five-goal lead remained midway into the third quarter after Columbia and Wagner both traded two goals. Once again it was Falcone igniting a big Lion run, scoring her fourth goal of the game which led to a 4-0 Columbia run. The Lions' lead grew as high as nine goals late into the fourth quarter before the Seahawks cut it back to eight before the final buzzer.
Along with Messner and Falcone, Zachara also had a hat trick which was her first since February of last year.
Anna Becker and
Michelle Zhai both chipped in a goal and an assist. Zachara had a team-high four ground balls while Falcone added a team-high four draw controls.
The Lions were the more aggressive team on offense firing 36 shots with 25 on goal, while Wagner tallied just 24 shots with 16 on goal.
Columbia will resume Ivy League play on Saturday against Princeton at Kraft Field. First draw is set for 1 p.m.
For the latest on Columbia lacrosse, follow @CULionsLax on Twitter and Instagram, and on the web at GoColumbiaLions.com.
