After a string of disappointing showings, the Columbia women’s soccer team (6-5-4, 1-3-1 Ivy) will try to regain its rhythm Saturday night against Harvard (10-4-1, 3-2 Ivy). It will be the Lions’ final home game of the season and, for the Light Blue seniors, their last match played at Columbia Soccer Stadium. While the Lions always strive for a win, this game will certainly be more meaningful to them.
“The team’s really ready to rally,” senior defender Cathleen Cimino said. “We play for each other.”
Columbia’s most recent victory came against nonconference Iona on Sept. 30. Two days prior to the win, the team blanked Brown to open conference play. Unfortunately, however, Columbia could not maintain that success in October.
Last Friday, the Lions were defeated by Yale, 2-1, adding a fifth game to their winless streak. The Light Blue surrendered at least one goal to the opposition in the first period of each of the last four games during this run. In order to beat Harvard, Columbia will have to kick this habit.
“We definitely can’t let in a goal in the first half,” Cimino said. “That’s been debilitating.”
When the Lions did gain momentum against Yale towards the end of the second half, they quickly lost it. In a rainy match, Chrissy Butler slipped on the wet turf while in position to score. The freshman standout, who has recorded five tallies for the Light Blue, is considered day-to-day as she recovers from an injured hamstring.
Even if Butler does not return to action, the Lions have three other offensive options that should strike some fear into the Crimson. Senior Lindsey Knowles, junior Allison Leonard, and sophomore Sophie Reiser have combined for 14 goals this season. Knowles has a chance to extend her scoring streak to three games tomorrow night.
“Lindsey has done a fantastic job this season,” head coach Kevin McCarthy said, citing her “tremendous commitment” and ability to be “in the right place at the right time.”
Harvard will look to limit Columbia’s offensive production with Lauren Mann in goal. Although she is only a sophomore, Mann leads the Ivy League with nine shutouts, including her latest against Dartmouth on Oct. 27. She has protected the Crimson net for every minute of play this year.
Despite Mann’s presence, the Lions will not be daunted. Even if faced with an early deficit, the Light Blue will continue its relentless play as it has all year. Even with the disparity in the teams’ records, the Lions have a chance to make tomorrow’s game a riveting contest.
“We had some unlucky breaks in our past few games,” Cimino said. “It’s really our chance to perform.”
In addition to Cimino and Knowles, seniors Elizabeth deBerardinis, Gudrun Finnsdottir, and Allison Vespa will be honored before game time.
Action begins at 7 p.m. at Columbia Soccer Stadium.