Columbia
2-2
Lehigh
3-2
Lacrosse Suffers First Loss of 2026 to Lehigh Saturday Night
2/21/2026 11:30:00 PM | Lacrosse
Brogan scores five for second straight game as Lions fall at Kraft Field, 18-15
NEW YORK - The Columbia lacrosse team suffered its first loss of the 2026 season Saturday evening, falling to Lehigh, 18-15, at Kraft Field.
With the setback, Columbia moves to 2-1 on the year, while Lehigh improves to 2-2.
Lehigh opened the contest with six first-quarter goals to take a 6-3 lead after one. The Lions responded emphatically in the second quarter, putting together an eight-goal period to surge in front. Columbia outscored the Mountain Hawks 8-4 in the frame to take an 11-10 lead into halftime.
Maddie Brogan sparked the second-quarter run, while Anna Becker, Michelle Zhai and Cordelia Flemming each contributed key goals as the Lions found rhythm offensively and flipped the momentum before the break.
The turning point came in the third quarter. Lehigh used a 7-1 run in the period to reclaim control and build a 17-12 advantage entering the fourth. The Mountain Hawks capitalized on draw control wins and converted all three of their free-position opportunities during the decisive stretch.
Columbia continued to battle in the final frame, outscoring Lehigh 3-1. Late goals from Brogan and Flemming cut the deficit to three, but the early third-quarter surge proved too much to overcome.
Brogan led the Lions with five goals for the second consecutive game, adding one assist. Becker and Zhai each totaled four points with two goals and two assists apiece, while Cecelia Messner and Flemming added two goals each.
Columbia finished with advantages in ground balls (20-13) and total shots (33-27), but Lehigh held a 19-16 edge in draw controls. The Lions went 13-for-14 on clears.
In goal, Ava Kimche made two saves in 33:40 of action, while Katherine Ebeling recorded one save in relief.
Pending the impact of the upcoming snowstorm, the Lions will look to bounce back when they host Howard on Tuesday at 3 p.m.
For the latest on Columbia lacrosse, follow @CULionsLax on Twitter and Instagram, and on the web at GoColumbiaLions.com.
