Lions Take Undefeated Record to Fairfield

The undefeated Columbia field hockey team will put its 4-0 record on the line as it travels to Fairfield (2-6) to take on the Stags on Wednesday afternoon. With the best start in program history under its belt already, the Light Blue will attempt to set the bar even higher in this nonconference tune-up.

Three of the Lions’ four games this season have been on the road, and in those three matchups, the team has allowed just one goal and scored five of its own. On the other side, Fairfield has had all of its success in its home games, as the Stags have compiled a record of 2-1 at home and are winless on the road, sporting an away record of 0-5. Last year, both teams met in the Columbia’s home opener as the Light Blue earned its first victory of the season, 2-0.

Fairfield enters Wednesday’s game coming off a decisive 5-1 victory over Siena last Friday. Before the win, the Stags underwent a five-game road losing streak in which they were outscored 18-4 and shut out twice.

Stymieing opposing offenses is something that the Lions have done well this season, as they have held opponents to 27 shots and three goals in four games. Though the Stags have had trouble putting the ball in the net, it hasn’t been for a shortage of attempts. Despite only having notched 13 goals in eight games, the Stags are averaging 15.5 shots per game, which is higher than the Lions’ 12 per contest.

Fairfield’s greatest offensive weapon this season has been freshman forward Marit Westenberg, who has taken about a fifth of the Stags’ shots and scored a team-high four goals. As a freshman, Westenberg has not yet faced Columbia’s senior goalkeeper Gena Miller, though, who boasts a save percentage of 84.2 this season and shut out Fairfield in last season’s matchup.

The problem for the Stags this season has been their defense, as they are allowing fewer shots to their opponents, but more than a quarter of them are getting through for goals. If this rings true, the main aim for the Lions will be to relentlessly pound the net with shots.

With a crucial Ivy League matchup at home against Cornell looming on Saturday, Columbia will need to make sure that it does not look past this game against Fairfield. Instead, the Lions should focus on building on its momentum heading into Saturday and a four-game homestand that will feature two Ivy League matchups.