CU wins, sets up winner-take-all game against Yale

Driven by junior forward Gabby Kozlowski’s two goals, the Columbia field hockey team overcame an early deficit to defeat the previous Ivy League leaders.

The Lions (7-6) overpowered Dartmouth 4-2 on the road, handing the Big Green (8-6) only its second loss in conference play.

With the win, the Light Blue maintained its first place standing, tied with Princeton and Yale for leadership of the table.

Kozlowski’s second two-goal game of the season came at an opportune time for the Lions, as she propelled Columbia past the Big Green with the game-winning goal.

Dartmouth had taken the lead only two minutes into the game with freshman forward Ali Savage’s 11th goal of the season. “When we get scored on that quickly, we have two options: to let it rattle our cage, or to attack back,” said head coach Marybeth Freeman.

The Light Blue was hardly fazed by Dartmouth’s goal, as sophomore midfielder Danielle Cosentino took hold of a rebound in the seventh minute and put it past the junior goalie Jenna Stearns.

With the momentum on their side, the Lions continued to press on the offensive end. Freeman commended the attacking runs of the entire front line, but it was Kozlowski that stood out.

In the 22nd minute, she scored the go-ahead goal off a cross from junior midfielder Paige Simmons to make it 2-1, and then in the 31st minute she pushed through the defense to put in an unassisted goal that would be the game-winner.

Kozlowski now has 30 career goals, making her Columbia’s second highest all-time scorer.

“Gabby has really evolved and progressed every game,” said Freeman. “To get two goals in one game against a very strong defense is an amazing achievement.”

Up 3-1 at the break, the Lions were well in control, but Dartmouth burst into the second half with a strong attack, tallying 13 shots in the last 35 minutes.

As Dartmouth players crowded in front of the Columbia goal, sophomore forward Sam Anderson tapped a loose ball into the back of the net to bring Dartmouth within one goal.

But just 20 seconds later, the Light Blue capitalized on a penalty corner when senior captain Carson Christus redirected a shot by Kozlowski into the goal.

For the remainder of the half, the Columbia defensive line proved impenetrable. Led by junior goalie Christie O’Hara, who tallied nine saves, the defenders limited Dartmouth to only four penalty corners in the entire game.

“For Dartmouth, a majority of goals come from penalty corners and other set pieces,” Freeman said. “We did a good job of not letting them get those opportunities. And Christie really showed great agility and athleticism.”

Hoping to continue their three-game winning streak, the Lions will face Lafayette on Tuesday in Easton, Pa. for their last away game of the year.