CU loses to Washington, No.3 Portland

The Columbia women’s soccer team traveled to Seattle over the weekend to participate in the Husky/Nike Invitational. The Lions (0-2-0) lost both games in which they competed and scored only one goal, but their talented and experienced roster should allow them to once again contend for the Ivy League championship.

Columbia opened its season against the University of Washington (3-1-0). Sophomore Lillian Klein played all 90 minutes in goal, replacing the graduated Rebecca Taylor, who garnered all-Ivy second team honors after the Lions’ 2008 campaign. Klein made seven saves but allowed three goals as the Lions began their season with a shutout defeat for the third straight year.

The Huskies first struck in the 12th minute of play when sophomore midfielder Kate Deines found the back of the net after receiving a pass from senior forward Veronica Perez. Sophomore midfielder Kelli Stewart came off the bench to score Washington’s final two goals, both of which came in the second half.

Columbia faced the University of Portland (5-0-0) on Sunday. The Pilots, ranked third in the nation, entered the game having shut out all four of their previous opponents. However, their defense could not completely stifle the Lions.

Senior defender Christina Eckhardt came off the bench to play just 13 minutes for Columbia, but she made the most of her time on the pitch. Eckhardt scored the Lions’ first goal of the season and the only goal of the game—her first collegiate tally—in the 83rd minute. That shot cut Columbia’s deficit to 3-1, but Portland found the back of the net two more times before play ended.

Head Coach Kevin McCarthy knows that the Lions’ defense must improve in order for the team to have a successful season. He is less concerned, however, about Columbia’s offensive ability.

“When we scored a goal, hit the post three times, had a goal called back, and had double figures in shots and more corner kicks than them, I don’t think we have to worry about our offense,” McCarthy said of the Portland game. “When we play our game, we’re going to be coming at people and getting goals, there’s no doubt about it.”

Although the Lions returned to New York without a win, they should make another run for the Ivy title this year. Last season, Columbia finished third in the conference standings with a 4-2-1 Ivy record. Senior Sophie Reiser is the reigning Ivy Player of the Year, who in 2008 was tied for first in the conference with 12 goals and was second in the league with 11 assists.

“Sophie’s always going to be a very central figure, whether it’s leading the line as the center forward or helping at center midfield,” McCarthy said. “She’s always going to be somewhere running a lot of things for us.”

Columbia also boasts three all-Ivy second team players—senior defender Meggie Ford, senior midfielder Ashley Mistele, and sophomore forward Ashlin Yahr—and an all-Ivy honorable mention in junior defender Lauren Cooke. Reiser, Ford, and Mistele are the team’s captains this year, even though Yahr was third in the league with 10 goals as a freshman.

In addition to the Lions’ all-Ivy honorees, Columbia’s offense should be boosted by junior forward Chrissy Butler, sophomore midfielder Nora Dooley, and sophomore midfielder Liz Wicks. Columbia also added six freshmen to its roster this season.

“There’s a lot of competition for spots,” McCarthy said. “It should make our jobs difficult as a coaching staff to choose the starting lineup each time we play.”

Columbia opens its home schedule against Manhattan College on Friday. Game time is set for 7 p.m. at Columbia Soccer Stadium.