Saturday, February 14
Fairfield, Conn.
12:00 p.m.
Columbia
at
Sacred Heart
Photo by: Columbia University Athletics / Stockton Photo, Inc.
Lacrosse Opens 2026 Season at Sacred Heart
2/13/2026 1:45:00 PM | Lacrosse
First draw will be at noon on Campus Field in Fairfield
FAIRFIELD, Conn. - The Columbia lacrosse team is set to open the 2026 season on Saturday afternoon, with a clash against Sacred Heart on Campus Field in Connecticut. The opening draw is scheduled for 12 p.m.
LAST SEASON
The Lions are coming off a 4-11 season in 2025, with an 0-7 mark in Ivy League play.
Columbia had another solid non-conference slate, going .500 or better for the third consecutive year. At 4-4, the Lions earned impressive victories over Monmouth, Lehigh, Marist and Wagner, while coming up just short against tough Big East foes such as UConn and Villanova. The most impressive performance was a 15-8 rout of Wagner, in which Cecelia Messner notched her 100th career goal and Dani Falcone moved into sole possession of eighth place on the program's all-time points list.
It was also a monumental year off the field, as the team paid tribute to Kathleen Roskot. In Roskot's memory, the lacrosse program renamed its annual alumnae game to the "Kathleen Roskot Alumnae Game," featuring a yearly tribute to the Columbia lacrosse star who tragically lost her life 25 years ago.
Beginning this season, every alumnae game one Columbia Lacrosse player will don Roskot's jersey #13 to celebrate Kathleen's vigorous spirit. This player will be chosen by her teammates, and recognized for her competitive drive, positive attitude, and relentless commitment to the development of herself and her teammates, all of which were just some of the great qualities that Kathleen brought to the Lions. In addition, moving forward halftime of every home game will feature a playlist with some of Roskot's favorite tunes.
After being pegged eighth in the 2026 Ivy League Preseason Poll, the Lions will be looking to prove people wrong once again as they enter the fifth season under the direction of Murray. This will include an attempt to earn the program's first Ivy League victory since 2019. To help do so, Columbia returns its top three goal scorers from last season in Cecelia Messner (26), Anna Becker (35), and Maddie Brogan (20). Also returning is Cordelia Flemming who led the team with 32 ground balls and 18 caused turnovers and was second with 39 draw controls, along with other top defenders in Alison Surace and Maddie Feldner.
NEW FACES
Eight newcomers joined the Lions over the summer, ready to make an impact on and off the field in 2026.
"We have been looking forward to getting the group on campus for quite some time now," Murray said. "These 8 Lions are gritty, eager, and smart on the field. This class is going to pack quite a punch for us on the field and they have been pushing our pace from day one. They bring very different playing styles to our systems and have been quick learners in our first few weeks together."
For more information on the entire class of 2029, click HERE.
In addition, two new faces joined Murray's coaching staff in 2026. For more on Jourdan Roemer, click HERE. For more on Maggie Brown, click HERE.
CAPTAINS
Columbia named two captains ahead of the 2026 season. The two new team leaders are Cecelia Messner and Cordelia Flemming.
"I am truly looking forward to Cords and Cece stepping into a formal leadership role for our program," Murray said. "Each of them brings passion, grit and belief to the role as well as their own individual flare. While we expect each of our five seniors to step into their own leadership roles, these two are going to be the one pushing us from the back. They have been strong examples of what it means to be a member of this program from the moment they stepped foot on campus. I am proud of their growth and steadiness over their careers thus far. The path ahead for us is full of challenges and their vision for this team is clear. We will be a better team with them at in this role and I know they will empower those around them, challenge themselves and support our coaching staff."
For more on this talented duo of captains, click HERE.
SCOUTING SACRED HEART
The Pioneers head into Saturday's contest with a game already under their belt, losing 13-8 on the road to the Bryant Bulldogs.
Last season, Sacred Heart finished 6-10 overall with a 4-4 record in the MAAC. In the 2026 MAAC Preseason Poll, the Pioneers were predicted to finish seventh in the conference while Madelyn Breiteil was selected to the Preseason All-MAAC Team.
Columbia hosted Sacred Heart for its 2025 home opener, but suffered a heartbreaking 11-10 loss. The Pioneers came from behind to take a two-goal lead in the final minute, before Anna Becker scored her second goal of the game with 12 seconds left to make it a one goal contest. However, Sacred Heart won the final draw and was able to run out the clock and secure the win. The Lions will be looking for some revenge on Saturday.
Jamie Tanner leads the Pioneers with three goals so far this season, and she was third on the team with 26 goals in 2025.
ON DECK
Columbia will return to NYC for its home opener on Wednesday, February 18 against Lafayette. The Lions will take on the Leopards at 2 p.m. at Kraft Field.
The Lions' full 2026 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 also on ESPN+, HERE.
Live stats will be available via Sacred Heart'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.
LAST SEASON
The Lions are coming off a 4-11 season in 2025, with an 0-7 mark in Ivy League play.
Columbia had another solid non-conference slate, going .500 or better for the third consecutive year. At 4-4, the Lions earned impressive victories over Monmouth, Lehigh, Marist and Wagner, while coming up just short against tough Big East foes such as UConn and Villanova. The most impressive performance was a 15-8 rout of Wagner, in which Cecelia Messner notched her 100th career goal and Dani Falcone moved into sole possession of eighth place on the program's all-time points list.
It was also a monumental year off the field, as the team paid tribute to Kathleen Roskot. In Roskot's memory, the lacrosse program renamed its annual alumnae game to the "Kathleen Roskot Alumnae Game," featuring a yearly tribute to the Columbia lacrosse star who tragically lost her life 25 years ago.
Beginning this season, every alumnae game one Columbia Lacrosse player will don Roskot's jersey #13 to celebrate Kathleen's vigorous spirit. This player will be chosen by her teammates, and recognized for her competitive drive, positive attitude, and relentless commitment to the development of herself and her teammates, all of which were just some of the great qualities that Kathleen brought to the Lions. In addition, moving forward halftime of every home game will feature a playlist with some of Roskot's favorite tunes.
After being pegged eighth in the 2026 Ivy League Preseason Poll, the Lions will be looking to prove people wrong once again as they enter the fifth season under the direction of Murray. This will include an attempt to earn the program's first Ivy League victory since 2019. To help do so, Columbia returns its top three goal scorers from last season in Cecelia Messner (26), Anna Becker (35), and Maddie Brogan (20). Also returning is Cordelia Flemming who led the team with 32 ground balls and 18 caused turnovers and was second with 39 draw controls, along with other top defenders in Alison Surace and Maddie Feldner.
NEW FACES
Eight newcomers joined the Lions over the summer, ready to make an impact on and off the field in 2026.
"We have been looking forward to getting the group on campus for quite some time now," Murray said. "These 8 Lions are gritty, eager, and smart on the field. This class is going to pack quite a punch for us on the field and they have been pushing our pace from day one. They bring very different playing styles to our systems and have been quick learners in our first few weeks together."
For more information on the entire class of 2029, click HERE.
In addition, two new faces joined Murray's coaching staff in 2026. For more on Jourdan Roemer, click HERE. For more on Maggie Brown, click HERE.
CAPTAINS
Columbia named two captains ahead of the 2026 season. The two new team leaders are Cecelia Messner and Cordelia Flemming.
"I am truly looking forward to Cords and Cece stepping into a formal leadership role for our program," Murray said. "Each of them brings passion, grit and belief to the role as well as their own individual flare. While we expect each of our five seniors to step into their own leadership roles, these two are going to be the one pushing us from the back. They have been strong examples of what it means to be a member of this program from the moment they stepped foot on campus. I am proud of their growth and steadiness over their careers thus far. The path ahead for us is full of challenges and their vision for this team is clear. We will be a better team with them at in this role and I know they will empower those around them, challenge themselves and support our coaching staff."
For more on this talented duo of captains, click HERE.
SCOUTING SACRED HEART
The Pioneers head into Saturday's contest with a game already under their belt, losing 13-8 on the road to the Bryant Bulldogs.
Last season, Sacred Heart finished 6-10 overall with a 4-4 record in the MAAC. In the 2026 MAAC Preseason Poll, the Pioneers were predicted to finish seventh in the conference while Madelyn Breiteil was selected to the Preseason All-MAAC Team.
Columbia hosted Sacred Heart for its 2025 home opener, but suffered a heartbreaking 11-10 loss. The Pioneers came from behind to take a two-goal lead in the final minute, before Anna Becker scored her second goal of the game with 12 seconds left to make it a one goal contest. However, Sacred Heart won the final draw and was able to run out the clock and secure the win. The Lions will be looking for some revenge on Saturday.
Jamie Tanner leads the Pioneers with three goals so far this season, and she was third on the team with 26 goals in 2025.
ON DECK
Columbia will return to NYC for its home opener on Wednesday, February 18 against Lafayette. The Lions will take on the Leopards at 2 p.m. at Kraft Field.
The Lions' full 2026 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 also on ESPN+, HERE.
Live stats will be available via Sacred Heart'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.
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