The Ivy League is the strongest top-to-bottom conference in Division One women's lacrosse; four teams were ranked in the top 15 and two qualified for the NCAA tournament.
Columbia has built itself into another strong program from the Ivy League. The team was rarely challenged outside the league, as it compiled a 6-2 record, losing only to Cal and NCAA-qualifier Lafayette. But the Lions had hoped that this would be the year they would make a leap forward and make noise in the Ivy League.
On that count Columbia was disappointed. The Lions finished 0-7 in the Ivies for the fifth consecutive season. Only one of the Ivy defeats was close, a 16-12 home loss to Harvard on April 20. In that game, Columbia led at the half. Too often, the Lions would fall victim to runs of goals that left them too far behind to strike back.
Despite the disappointing Ivy results, the Lions have reason for optimism. The team returns its six leading scorers and has experienced players ready to step in for the four graduating seniors. In addition the team returns sophomore goalkeeper Jessica Valadez. Valadez has started Columbia's last 29 games, and turned in a few outstanding performances along the way. Columbia can return up to 22 players.
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