From back when we won games

Here it is, the inaugural Bwog Sports Sunday. Most people don’t have the time to go spectate and support our athletes; even more casually forget that we have athletics. In this maiden installment, Bwog’s finest athletic correspondent, Kevin Powers, informs the busy fans and remind the ignorant masses of this week’s sporting news.

Men’s Soccer (3-3-1):

Latest Result: Lions fall 1-0 to Monmouth University (5-2) in third straight loss.

Overview: Despite a strong 3-0 start to the season, the Lions have had trouble finding the back of the net in their latest contests, losing the past three by a score of 1-0. On Thursday, the Lions faced a formidable opponent in Monmouth University (5-2), who controlled most of the play in the first half. Monmouth’s Derek Luke tallied the only goal of the game with a one-touch finish off of a cross from Hawks defender RJ Allen in the 17th minute. The Lions came out in the second half much stronger, possessing well and and creating chances. Most notably, a corner kick from freshman Kofi Agyapong found the foot of senior captain Mike Mazzulo, but his shot was saved and the Lions were unable to capitalize on the opportunity.

Highlight: Bwog enjoyed some fancy footwork from freshman newcomer Kofi Agyapong and senior Francios Anderson, who megged* a Monmouth midfielder in the second half. Also, senior goalkeeper Alex Aurrichio looks, sounds, and smells like a caveman. Roar on, Lion.

Upcoming Contest: The Lions will be away against Seton Hall (4-4-2) on Tuesday and then back home at Columbia Soccer Stadium to take on Brown (5-2) on Saturday at 4pm in their Ivy League opener.

*a nutmeg, or meg for short, is when one player puts the ball through the legs of an opposing player. This is incredibly embarrassing and is a sign of significant personal failure.

Women’s Soccer (3-4):

Latest Result: Lions come back to beat Cornell 3-1 in their Ivy League opener

Overview: After a slow 0-3 start to the season, the Lions have charged back with three straight wins. In Friday’s game against Ivy League rival Cornell, the Lions got on the board first with a goal from sophomore Chelsea Ryan off of a set piece in the 32nd minute. Midway through the second half, Cornell’s Maneesha Chitanvis scored the equalizer, but the Lions answered with a pair of late game goals. After a deep throw from Ryan, Cornell scored an own goal in an attempt to clear the ball, and, in the 83rd minute, senior forward Ashlin Yahr slotted the ball past the Big Red keeper off of an assist from sophomore Colleen Rizzo.

Highlight: Sophomore Chelsea Ryan can throw the ball farther than most shot putters. Girl’s got a serious arm. And for those readers who don’t know soccer well, own goals are, like, really embarrassing. Sucks for Cornell.

Upcoming Contest: The Lions play local rival Fordham (4-4-1) on Sunday and then return home for an Ivy League match-up against Brown (4-2-1)

Field Hockey (3-4):

Latest Result: The Lions broke a six-year losing streak against Cornell (3-4) in their 3-1 victory

Overview: Though 3-4 on the season, the Lions have seen early success in Ivy League play, improving to 2-0 after Saturday’s win over the Big Red. Junior Gabby Kozlowski tallied the first goal of the game at the 15:24 mark off a penalty corner, though Cornell equalized just three minutes later. With the score at 1-1 after the break, senior forward Adriana de Vries rose to the occasion, scoring the unassisted game-winning goal to put the Lions up 2-1. Senior back Desi Scherf topped off the road win with her second goal of the season in the 59th minute.

Highlight: The last time the Field Hockey team beat Cornell, Facebook hadn’t even been invented yet. So yeah, that virgin win probably felt good. Awkward, perhaps, but good.

Upcoming Contest: The Lions look to stay undefeated in the Ivy League against Princeton (3-3) on Saturday

Football (0-2):

Latest Result: The Lions fall to Albany 21-44 in home opener

Overview: After a disappointing loss to local rival Fordham last weekend 14-21, the Lions faced Albany at Robert K. Kraft Field for their home opener. The Lions fell behind early in the first quarter, but answered with a 75-yard drive that culminated in a one-yard touchdown run from junior running back Nick Gerst. In the second quarter, the Great Danes pulled ahead again with a pair of touchdowns, the second of which took place just four plays after Albany took over on downs at their own 49 when Columbia fumbled the snap for a punt. In the most thrilling play of the game, junior quarterback Sean Brackett threw a deep pass with just seven seconds left on the clock. The pass was picked off by Albany’s Kevin Chillis, who was then tackled and fumbled the football. Freshman wide receiver Connor Nelligan recovered the fumble and dove into the end zone to close out the half. In the third quarter, however, the Great Danes scored three unanswered touchdowns. Despite a touchdown from senior Paul Havas in the fourth quarter, the Lions lose their second straight to Albany 21-44.

Highlight: The last play of the second quarter was a winner for Bwog. Freshman represent! Bwog need not remind everyone that homecoming is just three weeks away. Get pumped!

Upcoming Contest: The Lions hit the road next Saturday to take on Princeton (0-2) in their Ivy League opener

Volleyball (7-4):

Latest Result: The Lions come back to beat Cornell (3-9) on the road 3-2 in Ivy League opener

Overview: With a host of returning talent, Volleyball has seen success early in the season and is currently the winningest team on campus at 7-4. Coming off a strong showing at the Columbia Invitational last week, the Lions took on Ivy League rival Cornell on the road on Saturday. After conceding the first two sets by close margins, the Lions rallied in the third with key kills from junior Megan Gaughn, senior Monique Roberts, and junior Heather Braunagel, taking the set 25-13. Cornell recovered in the fourth set and played the Lions evenly to 22-22. Pairing up with teammates Sierra Worthy and Caitlin Brenton, Braunagel recorded a pair of blocks to put the Lions up 24-22 and then closed out the set with a kill. In the forced fifth set, the Lions pulled ahead early and ended the game with a resounding kill from freshman Denise Dearman. The Lions won 21-25, 21-25, 25-13, 25-23, 15-10.

Highlight: Heather Braunagel gets serious kudos for closing out the fourth set and keeping the Lions alive. You go, Heather Braunagel. As a side note, Bwog enjoys volleyball for purely athletic, non-spandex-related reasons.

Upcoming Contest: The Lions look for two more Ivy League W’s this weekend as they travel to Brown (4-8) on Friday and Yale (7-4) on Saturday

Lion via Mouth Blog