This Saturday, the Columbia men’s soccer team (3-9-1, 1-2-0 Ivy) will look to end a three-game losing streak in a home matchup against Dartmouth. This game will be the first of four successive Ivy League games which will close out the Lions’ season.

Wins have been a rarity for the Light Blue this season, but the team has a chance to finish ahead in the Ivy League if it performs well in the remaining conference games. The Big Green has lost its past two games, one against 20th ranked UConn, and the other to Penn, against whom the Lions took their last win.

In its loss to Penn Saturday, Dartmouth came out slow in the first half, and was unable to even the score with an offensive rally in the second half. This same offensive polarity has plagued Columbia as well, which has averaged over four shots more in the second half over the past three games.

The outcome of tomorrow’s game will likely be dependent on Columbia’s offense, which has been the team’s weakness in several games thus far. Strengthening the offense has been one of head coach Leo Chappel’s priorities since the start of the season. On average, the Lions have been outshot by their opponents 120-196 this season and have struggled to find the spark that led to wins like the 3-1 victory against UC Santa Barbara early in the season.

Yet despite the team’s offensive troubles, its last line of defense has proven instrumental in keeping the games close. With 69 saves on the season, freshman goalie Alex Aurrichio has been a vital element to the team.

Columbia and Dartmouth. both in need of a win in the scramble to the top of the Ivy League, will face off at 1 p.m. on Saturday at the Columbia Soccer Stadium.