Field hockey looks to finish above .500

Today, the Columbia field hockey team (8-8 overall, 2-4 Ivy) will take on Harvard in the last contest of its season. With more success than the Crimson (5-11, 2-4 Ivy) thus far, the Lions hope to come off the field with a winning record.

This past Tuesday, Harvard suffered a tough 5-4 loss to UNH in overtime. The game started out with the Crimson falling behind early 2-0 as the Wildcats’ Meg Shea and Kate Collins Smyth each got the ball past goalkeeper Cynthia Tassopoulos. Harvard was finally able to get on the board in the 16th minute when freshman Nina Kucharczyk slipped a rebound in past New Hampshire goalkeeper for her first collegiate score. Sophomore Carly Dickson evened up the score briefly by sneaking through the crowd before UNH managed to take the lead again, 3-2, with 1:22 left to play in the half.

On a penalty corner, the Wildcats scored yet again to take a 4-2 lead before sophomore Allie Kimmel scored her first goal of the game and Dickson her second to bring the Crimson back into contention. The two teams finished out the last 15 minutes of the game tied at four. Harvard’s effort was all for naught as Whitney Frates scored the game defining goal and UNH took their final lead to win 5-4 in overtime.

The Light Blue had better success in their last outing as they defeated Penn 2-0. In Tuesday’s game, Columbia was able to stay on the offensive and did not give Penn a chance to score in the first period. While goalkeeper Erin Conway didn’t get the opportunity to impress at first, she made three saves in the second half to keep Columbia on top and record another shutout.

The two goals for the Light Blue were scored by senior Jane Gartland within the first two minutes of play and freshman Gabby Kozlowski at 47:49. Kozlowski and fellow first-year Katie DeSandis both have four goals on the season, close behind team leader junior Julia Garrison with five. Gartland’s goal was her third on the season.

With a strong offense, secure defense, and an experienced goalkeeper, the Lions head into today’s game looking for their third victory in the Ancient Eight and the opportunity to end the season on a high note with a winning record.

The contest will begin at 3 p.m. on Friday in New York, at the Columbia Field Hockey Venue