By By Justin Paley
Trailing by a goal against Columbia University late in Sunday’s game at Shuart Stadium, the Pride field hockey team had the ball in its offensive zone. The team got four shots on goal, but unfortunately two went wide and two were saved by Lions goalkeeper Kristina George, as the Pride fell, 1-0. The Pride fell to 10-4 overall.
It was the first time the Pride has fallen to Columbia since a 4-3 loss in 2000. However, the Blue & Gold still leads the series between the teams, 5-3.
The Pride outplayed Columbia throughout the game, out-shooting the Lions, 12-2. It also had nine penalty corners opposed to Columbia’s two.
“Unfortunately, we were missing wide today and these games happen and didn’t go in our favor in the end,” Pride head coach Kathy DeAngelis said.
The teams struggled to find their rhythm early in the game, as the first shot attempt did not come until a little over 10 minutes in when Pride freshman forward Charlia Warner shot the ball wide left. With 20 minutes left in the first half, the Pride had a great opportunity, as senior Katherine Katowski passed the ball down the right sideline to freshman Brit Blankmeyer, but Columbia’s defenders were quick to the ball and knocked it out of bounds.
A few minutes later, Columbia’s Elizabeth Reeve found Laura Cosan 10 yards in front of the cage and Cosan put a shot past Pride goalie Jessica Cowperthwait to put the Lions on top, 1-0, with 16:38 left in the first half. It was the only shot Columbia took in the first half, but unfortunately for the Pride, it found the back of the cage.
The Pride continued to get numerous opportunities on offense throughout the first half, but was unable to convert. With 7:10 left in the first half, Pemba Ramdoo tried to feed the ball to Blankmeyer in front of the Columbia cage, but the pass was too fast and went out of bounds.
At the end of the first half, the Pride had four consecutive penalty corners, but failed to capitalize. Leslie DeSimone had two shots on the penalty corners and it appeared one of them went into the cage, but the officials said the whistle blew before DeSimone fired the ball.
While the field had dried after the rain that fell last week, the wind caused a delay at the start of the second half as the Pride cage fell over. DeAngelis said the wind had an effect on both teams equally and her team was unable to generate as much speed in the second half going against the wind.
Columbia had its first penalty corner about 13 minutes into the second half and Kim Branich’s shot was blocked by the Pride defense. Two minutes later, Columbia had its other penalty corner, but this time was unable to get a shot off.
The Lions played good defense in the second half, as the Pride’s best opportunity came at the end of the game.
If there’s one positive the Pride could take from the loss, it’s that the game was a non-conference game.
“We learned we have to rebound and having this loss before going into CAA competition,” DeAngelis said. “I’ll use that as good timing.”