Scoring seven goals in two games, the Columbia field hockey team displayed its offensive talent this homecoming weekend as it enjoyed the home field advantage.
The Lions (6-6) dominated Penn 5-1 on Friday before going on to overpower Virginia Commonwealth 2-1 on Sunday.
The win against the Quakers (3-10) was the highest scoring game for the Light Blue this season, with five different Lions putting the ball in the back of the net.
Senior captain Leti Freaney gave the Lions a quick start, scoring an unassisted goal less than two minutes into the game, and senior captain Carson Christus followed shortly after with a goal of her own off a rebounded penalty corner.
Penn responded in the 18th minute when senior forward Kirstin Snyder tapped a cross past freshman goalie Marlee Silverstein. This would be the only goal conceded by Silverstein, who was filling in for senior Christie O’Hara in her first career start.
“Marlee was definitely able to step into that role and she did a great job,” head coach Marybeth Freeman said. “The defense was also did great in stepping up and being physical on Friday.”
The Quakers collapsed defensively in the second half as junior forwards Molly Andrews and Gabby Kozlowski and senior forward Adriana de Vries all tallied goals.
But the standout player of the weekend was Freaney, who scored first against Penn and scored the winning goal against the VCU Rams (4-11) on Sunday.
The Lions were leading at the half thanks to an early goal by junior midfielder Paige Simmons, and though the Light Blue had better possession after the break, VCU’s junior midfielder Haley McBee tied it up in the 54th minute.
It was looking like the game would go to overtime when Freaney came up big for the Light Blue, knocking in Simmon’s pass for the game-winning goal with just five minutes left.
Freaney’s clutch performance at midfield against both Penn and VCU demonstrated the leadership role she’s taken as captain.
“She’s really evolved as our center mid,” Freeman said. “I think her poise over the ball was critical for building our team’s attack, and her shield play and set piece execution was important for our success.”
Though the victory over the Rams was closer than the Lions would have liked, Freeman is confident this weekend’s two home wins will be important as the team enters the end of the season.
“It’s a testament to the athletes’ drive and desire to make a statement,” she said.
Tied with four other teams for first place in the Ivy League, Columbia will play the first of its last two away games on Saturday when it travels to New Hampshire to face Dartmouth.
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