Columbia
4-2, 0-1
Yale
6-0, 1-0
Lacrosse Drops Ivy Opener to #12/6 Yale
3/7/2026 4:30:00 PM | Lacrosse
Messner notches fourth hat trick of the season
NEW HAVEN, Conn. – The Columbia lacrosse team opened Ivy League play Saturday afternoon with a 16-6 loss to No. 12/6 Yale at Reese Stadium.
With the result, the Lions move to 4-2 overall and 0-1 in conference play, while the Bulldogs improve to 6-0 (1-0 Ivy).
Yale struck first and built a 6-1 lead by the end of the opening quarter. Cecelia Messner put Columbia on the board midway through the frame, finishing off a feed from Cordelia Flemming at the 11:03 mark.
The Lions opened the second quarter with a goal from Emma Row just 30 seconds into the period to trim the deficit to four. Yale answered with two quick scores before Anna Becker converted on an assist from Michelle Zhai to make it 8-3. Messner added her second goal of the afternoon late in the quarter, but the Bulldogs carried an 11-4 advantage into halftime.
Yale extended its lead in the third quarter with four consecutive goals before Messner completed her hat trick in the final seconds of the period.
The Bulldogs added one more goal early in the fourth before Maddie Brogan capped the scoring for Columbia with a goal off a Zhai assist with 4:22 remaining.
The Ivy League's leading scorer Messner led the Lions offensively with three goals, recording her fourth hat trick of the season. Row, Allen and Brogan each added a goal for Columbia, while Zhai paced the offense with three assists.
In goal, Ava Kimche delivered a standout performance, recording a career-high 15 saves while facing a potent Yale offense.
Several Lions also continued to climb the program record book. Flemming now ranks eighth in Columbia history with 103 career draw controls. Messner cracked the program's top 10 in both career goals (98) and assists (45), the latter tying former teammate Dani Falcone for eighth all-time. She also now ranks seventh in program history with 143 career points.
Columbia returns to action Wednesday at Kraft Field against Rider. Opening draw is set for 3 p.m.
For the latest on Columbia lacrosse, follow @CULionsLax on Twitter and Instagram, and on the web at GoColumbiaLions.com.
