TEANECK, N.J. — Fairleigh Dickinson's Luke Ayaz scored with seven minutes left and the Columbia men's soccer team fell on the road, 1-0, Thursday night at University Stadium.
The goal came following an injury delay for an FDU player deep in the Columbia half of the field. The Lions threw it in, FDU took it away, made a few passes upfield and Ayez made the Lions pay. His shot from just inside the top-right corner of the six hit the bottom of the crossbar and bounced into the back of the net.
It spoiled what had been a solid performance for Columbia (1-2-2) most of the night, and ended the Lions' three-game unbeaten streak. They had allowed just one goal over those three contests.
Columbia's defensive highlight of the night came from
Carmine Falco. The senior captain made back-to-back defensive saves in the 38th minute. First, he poked away a shot by Ayez off the goal line. The ball shot out to the right for Yayo Mutombo, but Falco got back up and made another incredible play, heading away Mutombo's shot before the ball was finally sent out of play.
Just a few minutes later, Falco nearly gave the Lions the lead.
Jack McDaid sent a perfect ball from near midfield that Falco chested down into the box. He split two FDU defenders and blasted a shot hard and low to the right that slammed off the post and went out of play.
It capped a first half that saw the Lions create chances and build a lot of positive momentum.
Luke Zielinski put a hard shot on goal off a great ball played across by
Henning Myrvang.
Joe McDaid had another defensive highlight with a great headed clearance.
Ryan Yang also nearly put Columbia on top with a shot off the crossbar.
FDU had a little more of the ball in the second half. The Knights never put anything against goalkeeper
Dean Kelliher that was all too threatening, until the eventual game-winning goal. Kelliher made three saves on the night.
Columbia continues non-conference action next Tuesday out on Long Island, where they will take on Hofstra at 7 p.m.
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