Early goal enough for CU to take second straight

It was not a perfect game for the Columbia women’s soccer team, but it was all the Lions needed to beat Iona on Wednesday.

“We did what we had to do,” head coach Kevin McCarthy said. “It wasn’t a sterling performance, but it was an honest effort.”

Senior defender Kelly Hostetler scored her second goal of the season in the 10th minute, and Columbia (2-1-0) achieved its second straight shutout in the 1-0 victory.

Hostetler, who scored her first two goals in 2009, has already matched that output in just three games this season. Her goal against Iona (1-7-0) came after she got the ball back following her first of several corner kicks in the matchup.

“Kelly’s service on restarts and corners has been excellent,” McCarthy said. “It’s great to see her get a reward for that type of service and delivery.”

The Lions were aggressive early, taking three shots—two on goal—in the first five minutes of action. Iona responded in the 10th with a five-minute stretch of three shots and one corner, but the Gaels did not find the back of the net.

Despite taking 19 shots in the game, nine of which were on goal, Columbia was unable to score for a second time.

“Our final touch and sometimes the movement in the runs to the box were not as connected and coordinated as we expect,” McCarthy said. “That accounted for some frustration in not finishing.”

Columbia mounted major threats late in the second half, including a four-minute stretch in which the Lions took three shots and five corner kicks. Freshmen were responsible for two of those shots, with defender Maya Marder’s shot going wide and midfielder Chelsea Ryan’s hitting the post.

The Lions threatened again in the final five minutes of the half when they took three shots and one corner. But Iona goalkeeper Trista Rivera made two saves, and junior defender Lindsay Mushett’s shot in the 89th sailed high.

Five of Iona’s 13 shots were on goal, but Columbia goalkeeper Lillian Klein was ready for them. The junior finished the day with five saves.

According to McCarthy, his defenders are not the only ones responsible for the Lions’ shutout.

“The players in front of them work their tails off pressing and double-teaming and covering and balancing,” he said. “Our midfielders and forwards are very committed to doing that work.”

Within Iona’s defense, Rivera recorded eight saves for the Gaels. But the one goal she allowed was enough to give Columbia the win.

Columbia is not complaining.

“We always celebrate victory,” McCarthy said.