Columbia
Lehigh
Lacrosse Looks to Keep Rolling against Lehigh and Howard
2/20/2026 5:30:00 PM | Lacrosse
Lions will host the Mountain Hawks on Sunday at noon followed by the Bison on Tuesday at 3 p.m.
LAST TIME OUT
Columbia lacrosse delivered one of the most explosive performances in program history Wednesday afternoon. The Lions overwhelmed Lafayette 19-10 in their 2026 home opener at Kraft Field behind a record-tying 11-point performance from Cecelia Messner.
Messner finished with five goals and six assists, matching the single-game program record for points and assists. Her 11-point outing marks the second-highest total by any NCAA Division I player this season and vaulted her into a tie for ninth on Columbia's all-time career points list with Adie Moll.
The Lions' 33 total points were their most in a game since 2006 against Vermont, underscoring the magnitude of the offensive eruption. Columbia's 19 goals were also its most since a 20-11 victory over LIU Brooklyn in 2014. Three Lions, Maddie Brogan, Messner and Anna Becker, each scored at least five goals, marking the first time since at least 2009 that Columbia has had three players reach the five-goal mark in the same game.
In goal, Ava Kimche played all 60 minutes and made seven saves to earn the win. Columbia outshot Lafayette 39-29 and held a 20-17 edge in shots on goal. The Lions controlled the draw circle 18-12, forced 12 Lafayette turnovers, caused eight turnovers and went 15-of-17 on clears in the victory.
SCOUTING LEHIGH
The Mountain Hawks head into Sunday's contest with a 1-2 record to begin the 2026 campaign, most recently earning a 12-7 victory over Iona after dropping a pair of close contests to Saint Joseph's and Loyola Maryland.
Last season, Lehigh finished 6-10 overall with a 3-6 record in Patriot League play. In the 2026 Patriot League Preseason Poll, the Mountain Hawks were projected to finish seventh in the conference. Molly Snow was named to the Preseason All-Patriot League Team.
Columbia last took on Lehigh during the 2025 season at Kraft Field, with the Lions earning a 10-6 victory in Bethlehem. The scoring was balanced for Columbia, with six different players scoring a goal. Messner led the way for the Lions in both points, with four, and goals, with three. Becker, Brogan and Dani Falcone each added two goals apiece, and Cordeilia Flemming added one. Michelle Zhai chipped in three points in the contest, all on assists.
Shannon Nolan is off to a strong start this season, leading the team with 10 goals and 11 points. Snow has a team-high 11 assists and 13 points, while Kacie Wines leads the squad with eight draw controls. In goal, Sophie Jennings has totaled 31 saves through the first three contests.
ROSTER - SCHEDULE - STATS
SCOUTING HOWARD
The Bison enter Tuesday's matchup with Columbia sporting an 0-3 record in 2026, including a 22-7 loss at George Washington and an 18-3 setback at VCU.
Last season, Howard finished 1-14 overall with a 1-8 record in conference play. The Bison were picked to finish eighth in the 2026 NEC Preseason Poll
Friday's contest marks the first-ever meeting between Columbia and Howard in program history.
All-NEC Second Team honoree graduate attacker Sawyer Walker and sophomore midfielder Leah Croom, who was selected to the All-Rookie Team a year ago, spearhead the Bison attack.
ROSTER - SCHEDULE - STATS
ON DECK
Columbia will hit the road again for a quick trip up to Poughkeepsie for a non-conference contest against the Marist Red Foxes. First draw is set for 5 p.m. on Saturday, February 28.
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 Sunday's game also on ESPN+, HERE. Tuesday's game can be found HERE.
Live stats will be available via Columbia'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.
