After a disappointing 1-0 shutout at nonconference opponent Villanova, the Columbia men’s soccer team (3-7-1, 1-2 Ivy) takes to the field against No.15 Dartmouth (8-3-1, 3-0 Ivy).
The Big Green enters the contest after a close 1-0 loss to No. 8 University of South Florida. The Bulls tallied the only goal of the match in the 27th minute after goalkeeper Sean Donovan had denied their previous attempts. Though the Big Green outshot USF 15-10, they were unable to find the back of the net. Despite this loss, Dartmouth stands atop the Ivy League rankings with an unblemished 3-0 record in conference play.
The Lions also walked away with a loss after their last time out on the field when they faced Villanova. Senior Mike Seamon from Villanova found a golden opportunity in the 13th minute, picking off a pass off from teammate Kevin Garcia, to drive a low shot into the right corner of the goal. After giving up the early lead, the Lions were unable to come back and even the score, falling 1-0.
Whether the Light Blue will be able to challenge the Big Green depends largely on the offense’s conversion in the match. Last year, Dartmouth and Columbia were almost evenly matched in shots, 13-12, yet the Big Green began the scoring early. In the 33rd minute, Maarten van Ess launched a cross into the box that found teammate Craig Henderson, who knocked the ball into the goal. Two minutes into the second half, van Ess passed to Lucky Mkosana, whose shot from 20 yards found the back of the net for a score of 2-0.
The same players would come back nine minutes later to add yet another tally to the score, as Henderson’s pass to Mkosana led to a shot that made it into the goal near the far post. Mkosana’s shot gave the Big Green a resounding 3-0 advantage. However, the Lions would find their range in the 88th minute. Felipe Castrillon knocked in a low shot off a corner kick by Peter Morice to make the score 3-1. However, only two minutes remained in regulation time and the Big Green held on to win the game.
While in last year’s match, then-freshman goalkeeper Alexander Aurrichio was only able to save two shots, allowing three goals, while the Lions watched Big Green keeper Sean Milligan make five saves. This year’s Lions squad has shown an improved defense from last season, but has also had an offense that has struggled to convert shots into goals, having only scored nine goals this season. The match against Princeton, however, saw the team struggle on defense as well, as they were defeated 3-0 by the Tigers.
The Lions will face the Big Green on Saturday, Oct. 24, in Hanover, N.H. at 4 p.m.
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