NEW YORK – The Columbia lacrosse team returned to the win column on Wednesday night, earning a wire-to-wire,15-8, victory over the Wagner Seahawks at Robert K. Kraft Field in the team's final non-conference game of the season.
With the win, Columbia improves to 4-7 on the season. Meanwhile, Wagner drops to 3-6 on the season.
Michelle Zhai opened the scoring less than five minutes into the game, giving the Lions a 1-0 lead. Wagner responded with a goal before
Dani Falcone scored to give the Lions the lead again. After the Seahawks tied the game at 2-2,
Cecelia Messner and
Cordelia Flemming each scored to give Columbia a 4-2 lead, a lead which Columbia would never relinquish.
Columbia scored the first four goals in the second quarter to take a commanding 8-3 lead.
Anna Becker and
Ellie Taylor scored the first two goals of the quarter. Then, Messner scored two straight goals to give her a hat trick on the day. Her third goal of the game, coming with 4:22 remaining in the quarter, marked a milestone in her career, as it was her 100th career point.
The Lions opened the second half just like they started the second quarter, scoring four straight goals. Falcone, Flemming,
Serena Hong and Messner each scored to extend the lead to 12-4. On Hong's goal with 9:56 remaining in the third quarter, Falcone recorded an assist, which gave her 128 career points, moving her into sole possession of eighth on the program's all-time points list.
The Seahawks scored the first goal of the fourth quarter to make it 12-7, but Falcone and Flemming each scored their third goal of the evening to extend the lead to 14-7. After another goal by Wagner made it 14-8,
Dylan Silar put the finishing touches on a 15-8 win for the Lions with just under two minutes to play.
It was only fitting that on their historic day that both Falcone and Messner led the way for the Lions offense. Falcone led the team with six points, three goals and three assists, while Messner led the team with four goals on the evening and added an assist. Flemming also notched a hat trick, her first of the season, and added an assist for four points in the game.
On the defensive end, goalie
Simone Koryszewski started and picked up three saves.
Ava Kimche checked in to start the second half in goal and added five saves of her own.
Tierney Smink also checked into the game late in the fourth quarter for the first time in her career and collected her first career save. Flemming led the team with seven draw controls, and Taylor added six. Taylor,
Maddie Feldner and Kimche were tied for the team lead with two caused turnovers each. Messner led the team with four ground balls. Sophomore
Grace Hoverman also added the first assist and point of her career.
Columbia dominated in the draw control circle, winning that battle 21-6. The Lions also outshot Wagner by a wide margin, 41-22, as well as shots-on-goal, 23-17. Wagner turned it over 17 times compared to Columbia's 14 turnovers. The Lions were also a perfect 14-14 on clear attempts while Wagner was 16-23.
Next up, the Lions will resume Ivy League play in search of their first conference win against #21 Brown. First draw is set for Saturday, April 5 at 3:30 p.m. in Rhode Island.
For the latest on Columbia lacrosse, follow @CULionsLax on Twitter and Instagram, and on the web at GoColumbiaLions.com.
