NEW YORK –The Columbia lacrosse team dropped a tightly contested non-conference game to the UConn Huskies, 10-7, on Wednesday afternoon at Robert K. Kraft Field.

Prior to this week, the Huskies had been ranked in the top 25 in the Division I Media Poll for five consecutive weeks. The Lions played a great all-around game, with high defensive effort all over the field and timely offense, allowing them to hang around with one of the top teams in the country. Ultimately, UConn prevailed to improve to 6-3, while Columbia drops to 3-5. 
 
Columbia opened up the scoring, courtesy of Ellie Taylor, just under five minutes into the game to take a 1-0 lead. However, UConn would score the next three goals to take a 3-1 lead. Anna Becker then scored twice in just 1:06 of game time late in the first quarter to tie the game at 3-3. The Huskies responded with a goal with just 12 seconds left in the quarter to take a 4-3 lead into the second period. 
 
The Huskies took control of the game in the second quarter, shutting out the Lions and scoring four goals of their own to take an 8-3 lead into halftime.
 
The Lions would not quit and started to claw their way back into the game in the third quarter. Cecelia Messner sparked the team, scoring midway through the third to make it an 8-4 game. Cordelia Flemming added a goal of her own less than three minutes later to trim the deficit to 8-5. The Lions held UConn scoreless for the entire third quarter, and trailed by just three goals heading into the final frame.
 
In the fourth quarter, UConn scored another goal early in the period to make it a 9-5 ballgame. Messner responded with her second goal of the game midway through the fourth to get the deficit back down to three. Another Husky goal a few minutes later was basically the dagger, but Messner netted her third goal of the day to complete the hat trick with under 10 seconds to play. It wouldn't be enough, as UConn won by three. 
 
Messner led the way for the Lions' offense with her four points, three of them being goals. Becker added two points of her own, both on goals in the first quarter. Taylor also had two points, with one goal and one assist.
 
On the defensive end, goalie Simone Koryszewski started her third consecutive game and recorded her third straight performance with double-digit saves, matching her total of 10 saves against Villanova with 10 more saves against the Huskies. Flemming stuffed the stat sheet on defense, leading the team with five ground balls, causing three turnovers and adding four draw controls, both of which were tied for the team high in the contest. Maddie Feldner tied Flemming for the team lead with three caused turnovers, and Taylor tied Flemming with four draw controls. Julie Griswold added four ground balls of her own.
 
The Huskies had a slim advantage in the draw control circle, leading that category 12-10. UConn also led in total shots by a small margin, 25-24, and shots-on-goal, 20-19. The Huskies also turned it over more times than Columbia, 21-19. UConn held a very small advantage in ground balls as well, 18-17.
 
Next up, the Lions will resume Ivy League play in search of their first conference win in a home game against Cornell. First draw is set for Sunday, March 23 at noon. The game will take place at Rocco B. Commisso Soccer Stadium.
 
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