Columbia
6-5, 0-4
Brown
6-5, 2-2
Lacrosse Stunned in Final Seconds as Brown Escapes, 13-12
4/4/2026 7:30:00 PM | Lacrosse
Becker's five goals not enough as Lions come up just short of first Ivy win since 2019
NEW YORK – In one of its most complete and hard-fought performances of the season, the Columbia lacrosse team delivered its strongest Ivy League showing since 2020 on Saturday afternoon at Commisso Stadium, but a last-second goal lifted Brown to a 13-12 victory.
With the result, the Lions move to 6-5 overall and 0-4 in Ivy League play, while the Bears improve to 6-5 (2-2 Ivy).
Columbia matched Brown from the opening draw, trading goals throughout a tightly contested first half. After Anna Becker opened the scoring, the Lions responded to a Brown run with goals from Maddie Brogan and Lilah Kirch to tie the game at 3-3 after the first quarter.
The Lions carried that momentum into the second and took control. Goals from Cordelia Flemming, Cecelia Messner and Emma Row powered a 4-2 quarter for Columbia, as the Lions built a 7-5 lead heading into halftime.
Brown answered in the third quarter, using a five-goal run to swing momentum and take an 11-9 lead into the final period.
This game began to feel identical to last week against Penn when the Lions led at halftime but the Quakers took control with a massive run in the third quarter and coasted to victory. This time, however, Columbia refused to back down. Becker led a fourth-quarter surge, scoring three goals in the frame to help the Lions erase the deficit. Her third goal of the quarter tied the game at 12-12 with 8:50 remaining.
Both teams traded possessions in a tense final stretch, highlighted by incredible defensive efforts on both ends. Neither team could get a good look at the net, but with just six seconds remaining Brown shot from a tough angle and scored the game-winner, denying Columbia its first Ivy League victory since 2019.
Becker led the Lions with five goals, and recorded her 100th career point during the game.. Cordelia Flemming added three goals. Messner, who wore #13 in honor of Kathleen Roskot throughout the game, recorded a goal and an assist. Row, Brogan and Kirch each added a goal, while Row and Michelle Zhai dished out three assists apiece.
In goal, Ava Kimche continued her stretch of dominance, recording 11 saves while anchoring the defense in a high-intensity contest.
Columbia controlled the game in several key areas, holding a 23-10 advantage in ground balls while outshooting Brown 37-33 and committing just eight turnovers.
The Lions have a quick turnaround, closing out non-conference play against UMass on Tuesday in Amherst.
