CU Drops Second Straight in Queens

The Columbia men’s soccer team (3-10, 0-4 Ivy) lost its second consecutive game yesterday by a score of 3-1 against Adelphi University in Queens. Adelphi (3-10-2) has had almost as unsuccessful a season as Columbia, but turned in one of its best showings of the season to beat the Lions on Wednesday night.

Columbia’s defense buckled at the start of the game, allowing three shots on goal in the first 10 minutes of play. Adelphi finally found the back of the net with its fourth shot, taken by sophomore Kris Frick in the 12th minute, which put the Panthers up 1-0.

The Lions were playing in their half of the field for the majority of the first period with the defense weathering attack after attack, and it was not until 21 minutes into the game that Columbia was able to stem the Adelphi onslaught and get its first shot on goal.

But as the first half came to a close, senior goalkeeper Michael Testa blocked a shot but was unable to corral the rebound, and Adelphi freshman John Koutsounadis hammered it home for the Panthers’ second goal.

Adelphi continued to press the Columbia defense well into the second half, and the Panthers again capitalized off of a rebound in the 48th minute, as junior midfielder Patrick Figueiredo was in the right spot after a save by Testa, firing a shot past the senior to put Adelphi up 3-0.

The lone Columbia goal came on a penalty kick by senior co-captain Tom Heinbockel after a Panther handball penalty. Adelphi goalkeeper Vincent Treglia broke left, but Heinbockel chose right, ending Treglia’s clean sheet and helping the Light Blue avoid its sixth shutout of the season.

After this disappointing loss to a mediocre team, Columbia, still searching for its first Ivy win, will try to end the season on a high note as it faces Ivy League opponents Harvard, Cornell, and Brown.