Lacrosse Defeats LaSalle But Falls to Nationally Ranked Opponents

The Columbia lacrosse team (3-4, 0-2 Ivy) played three games during spring vacation. The Light Blue first faced LaSalle (0-6, 0-0 Atlantic 10) at home, where the Lions overtook the Explorers with 21 goals to their 11. Columbia’s offensive onslaught was led by senior midfielder Marisa Marcellino and junior attacker Holly Glynn’s six tallies apiece, while five other players also scored for the Light Blue. Senior midfielder Emily Bonczek led the opposition with a four-goal effort.

Marcellino added another accolade to her resume by scoring 11 points in the game, the most in a single match in the team’s history. She complemented her goals with five assists to achieve this milestone. Earlier this season, Marcellino inserted her name into the Columbia record books when she became the highest-scoring lacrosse player in the history of the program.

After beating LaSalle, the Light Blue traveled to the West Coast to face the University of Oregon (7-3, 1-1 Pac-10). While Columbia once again hit double digits in goals with 10, it was not enough to overcome the Ducks, who scored 17. Nevertheless, the Light Blue played a strong second half, with eight tallies, against tough competition. Oregon was the 18th-ranked team in the nation when it hosted the Lions and currently holds the 12th spot.

Columbia ended its spring break road trip with a 14-5 defeat at 17th-ranked Dartmouth (4-3, 1-1 Ivy) on Sunday afternoon. With 25:02 to play in the first period, the score was tied at one goal apiece, but the Big Green went on a 7-1 run to end the half with a commanding 8-2 lead. Although the Light Blue only scored five times in the loss, Glynn had four of those goals after being held scoreless at Oregon. Sophomore attacker Brittany Shannon, who had three tallies against the Ducks, provided the rest of the Lions’ offense in New Hampshire.

Columbia continues conference play Saturday at Penn.