Women’s Soccer Drops Non-Conference Contest Against Villanova

Thursday, August 27

New York, N.Y.

6:00 p.m.

Columbia

0-1-2, 0-0-0

Villanova

2-0-1, 0-0-0

Team	1	2	Final F
Villanova	1	1	2
Columbia	0	0	0

Photo by: Columbia University Athletics / Lem Photography

Women’s Soccer Drops Non-Conference Contest Against Villanova

8/27/2026 10:00:00 PM | Women's Soccer

Box Score

Lions suffer first loss of 2026 season despite late offensive push

NEW YORK — Columbia women's soccer suffered its first loss of the 2026 season on Thursday evening, falling to Villanova, 2-0, at Rocco B. Commisso Soccer Stadium.

Columbia (0-1-2) finished with 12 shots, including three on goal, while Villanova (2-0-1) recorded 13 shots and seven on frame. Evelyn Javers led the Lions with three shots and two on goal, while Gabby Chan also put a shot on frame. Goalkeeper Samantha Mahoney finished the night with five saves.

Villanova opened the scoring in the 21st minute. Following a corner kick, Ambyr Baker headed a shot into the top right corner to give the Wildcats a 1-0 advantage.

The Lions nearly answered less than three minutes later. In the 24th minute, Javers put Columbia's first shot on goal toward the bottom center of the net, but Villanova goalkeeper Hannah Dickinson made the save. Krystal Medina and Dema Elder followed with attempts over the next two minutes as Columbia looked for the equalizer.

Mahoney came up with a big stop moments into the second half to keep Columbia within one. Villanova created a one-on-one opportunity in the 47th minute, but Mahoney denied Gabby Koluch's attempt toward the bottom right corner.

The Wildcats doubled their advantage in the 50th minute when Avrie Nelsen found the back of the net off an assist from Morgan Kotch to make it 2-0.

Columbia continued to push offensively and created a flurry of chances late in the second half. Beginning in the 84th minute, the Lions fired off four consecutive shots in less than a minute. Elder sent the first attempt high before Sammie Moncion had back-to-back shots blocked. Javers capped the sequence with a shot on goal that was saved by Dickinson.

The Lions continued to apply pressure in the closing minutes, with Chan putting another shot on goal in the 89th minute before Javers sent Columbia's final attempt just wide. Villanova held on to secure the 2-0 victory.

Columbia returns to action on Sunday, Aug. 30, traveling to Philadelphia to take on La Salle. Kickoff is set for 1 p.m.

For the latest on the Columbia women's soccer program, follow @CULionsWSOC on X, Instagram, Facebook at Facebook.com/ColumbiaWSoccer and on the web at GoColumbiaLions.com.