Women's soccer falls to Lehigh in overtime loss

The 2011 season is turning into a roller coaster for the Lions. Every time they appear to be on the verge of an upward trend, their offense is silenced and shutouts ensue.

Yesterday, the Columbia women’s soccer team (4-6, 2-0 Ivy) fell 1-0 to Lehigh (4-5-1) in an overtime match that saw the Mountain Hawks score off a rebound from senior goalkeeper and co-captain Lillian Klein.

The first half set the tone for what was to come. When both teams headed into the locker rooms, the score was even at zero. The half was evenly played and neither team proved to be too much of an offensive threat for its opponent, as Lehigh outshot Columbia 4-3. Both keepers only recorded one save each—most action was played in the midfield.

The second 45 minutes didn’t prove any easier for either team to gain the advantage. There was little excitement until the last 10 minutes of regulation, when Columbia looked like it might score a last-minute game-winner. The Lions had three corners before the whistle blew, but were unable to convert any of their opportunities.

The Lions know all too well that anything can happen in overtime, so they were first on the attack. Forward/midfielder Coleen Rizzo threatened in the third minute of extra time, but her shot went wide. With half the period gone, the Mountain Hawks subbed in midfielder Sophie Mayeux, and, three minutes later, she scored her first goal of the season to lead Lehigh to victory. Klein made the initial save, but Mayeux quickly received the rebound and capitalized on the second chance.

Columbia was outshot 10-7 by the Mountain Hawks for the day. Rizzo led the Lions in shots with three, although none were on frame. Sophomore midfielder Natalie Melo and senior midfielder Nora Dooley took the Light Blue’s only shots on goal. Klein finished with two saves, a fairly uneventful and disappointing day for her.

With the loss, Columbia falls further from .500, but the team seems to have a habit of redeeming itself after returning home from a difficult road match.

The Lions will next take the field on Saturday, Oct. 8, as they host Penn in an attempt to remain undefeated in the Ivy League.