Bwog Sports analyst, Kevin Powers, recaps Fall athletics, and interviews junior volleyballer Megan Gaughn.

For all but the Football team, the 2011 fall regular season has come to a close. Congrats to all the fall athletes, many of whom have already earned All-Ivy League honors with more announcements from the league to come in the upcoming weeks. Field Hockey and Women’s Soccer ended their seasons last weekend, finishing 3rd and 4th, respectively in the Ivy League. Men’s Soccer and Volleyball entered the weekend with Ivy League Championship hopes still alive, but both teams fell just short, finishing 3rd in the league. The Men’s Soccer Team, however, still has a slim shot at an NCAA tournament bid with a strong regular season record and impressive performance in the Ivy League. An NCAA tournament bid is slightly less likely for the 0-9 Football team, but the squad has one more game to redeem themselves, somewhat, before the offseason. And regardless, the football game next weekend means yet another fall sports tradition: Brown out. Although its name may have more to do with the post-game state of mind than the fact that we’re actually playing Brown, what’s Columbia without a little clever word play?

Men’s Soccer (8-7-2, 4-2-1 Ivy League):

Latest Result: The Lions fall short of Ivy League title, drawing 1-1 with Cornell

Highlights: Last week, the Lions took down Harvard 2-1 with a pair of goals from senior Ronnie Shaban. Shaban has been a standout star the past week for the Lions, tallying three goals in two matches, earning him Ivy League Player of the Week honors. On Senior Day last Saturday, he scored both goals against Harvard in the first half to finish his stellar career at Columbia Soccer Stadium. The Lions faced Cornell yesterday in the final match of the season, with a chance to secure the Ivy League Championship. In order to have any shot at the title, the Men’s Soccer Team needed Dartmouth and Brown to tie. Before kickoff last night, the Lions got word that the Big Green and the Bears had remained scoreless through two overtime periods—their hopes for a title were still alive. Amped up from the news, the Lions came out strong in the first half, scoring first in the 17th minute when sophomore David Najem chipped the Cornell keeper to put the Lions on the board. Despite dominating play in the first half, the Lions entered the break tied 1-1 after Cornell equalized with just four minutes left in the half. The game remained tied at 1-1 through the second half and two overtime periods, leaving the Lions just short of the first Ivy League title since 1993. With the tie, the Men’s Soccer Team finished the season in third place in the Ivy League, the team’s best performance in the league since 2002.

Volleyball (15-8):

Latest Results: The Lions close out the 2011 season with two road losses, first 2-3 against Penn on Friday and then Harvard 2-3 on Saturday

Highlights: The Lions entered the weekend with hopes of an Ivy League Championship still alive, but the Volleyball team needed to bring home two W’s to have any shot at the title. Unfortunately, the Lions came up short, losing two close matches on the road this weekend. On Friday, the Lions went up 2 sets to 1 and looking to close out the match, but they were stunned by the Quakers, who rallied to take the final two sets and the victory over the Lions. Saturday’s match was a back and forth battle between the Lions and the Tigers, but Columbia ultimately fell to Princeton in a forced fifth set. With the two losses, the Lions finished the season in third place in the Ivy League.

Bwog had a chance to catch up with junior all-star Megan Gaughn last week.

Megan Gaughn

Bwog: The volleyball team has seen a lot of success this season. What sets this season apart from your first two?

Megan Gaughn: We’re all a little older and a little wiser.  The commitment from the girls this season has been at a level most teams strive to meet some day.  It makes it easy and refreshing to come work hard in the gym everyday.

Bwog: You lead the team this season with 251 kills, which is more than a hundred more the your next best teammate. What’s the secret to your savvy swing?

MG: If I told you, then it wouldn’t be a secret anymore.

Bwog: Have you ever spiked a girl in the face with the ball? Or ever taken a particularly embarrassing spike to the face? Details please.

MG: Facials are always quite a crowd pleaser.  Senior year in a big club match, I nailed the ball down the line right into the defender’s face.  She had to sub out and run to the bathroom with a bloody nose.  It’s the biggest adrenaline rush.  We chatted after the game, and all was forgiven.

Bwog: Have your volleyball skills ever come in handy off the court?

MG: Fortunately, I’ve never had to spike anyone in the face off the court.  Still waiting for my opportunity.

Bwog: We’ve noticed some entertaining signs at some of your home games. Any favorites in nearly three seasons?

MG: “Going Going Gaughn” seems to stick around.

Bwog: What’s your opinion on volleyball attire? Are the shorts too short? Or could they be shorter? For comfort’s sake of course…

MG: The perfect fit.  We like to think fans may come for the spandex, but they’ll stay for the volleyball.

Women’s Soccer (6-10-1, 3-3-1 Ivy League):

Latest Result: Last weekend, the Lions ended their season with a 1-0 loss to Harvard

Highlights: In their final match of the season, the Lions couldn’t recover from a first half goal from the Crimson, who went on to win the game and secure an Ivy League Championship. For their accomplishments throughout the season, three Lions were named to All-Ivy League Teams. Senior Liz Wicks earned second team selection while fellow senior teammates Lillian Klein and Ashlin Yahr gained honorable mention. The Lions finished the season tied for fourth in the Ivy League with Brown.

Field Hockey (9-8, 5-2 Ivy League):

Latest Result: The Lions finished their season with a 3-0 victory over Harvard last weekend

Highlights: Last Friday, the Lions faced Harvard in their final game of the season led by five seniors playing in the final game of their careers. Senior forward Adriana de Vries had a standout performance in the game, finishing her career in style with an early goal just 38 seconds into a game and assisting on a goal later on. The Lions dominated play throughout the game, tallying two more goals to win 3-0 over the Crimson. The Field Hockey team ended the season in a tie for 3rd place in the Ivy League with Dartmouth. For their performances throughout the season, six Lions earned All-Ivy League Field Hockey honors. Junior Gabby Kozlowski, senior Leti Freaney, and junior goalkeeper Christie O’Hara were named First Team All-Ivy League, while senior Carson Christus and junior Katie DeSandis earned Second Team honors and junior Paige Simmons received honorable mention.

Football (0-9, 0-6 Ivy League):

Latest Result: The Lions remain winless after falling to Cornell 62-41

Highlights: In this offensive showdown on Saturday, the Lions fell to Cornell after the Big Red tallied 27 unanswered points in the second half. Brackett threw for a career high of 409 yards, and senior Kurt Williams had a career game as well with 191 receiving yards.

Upcoming Contest: The Lions close out the 2011 season at home against Brown next Saturday at 12:30pm.

Winter Sports updates to come!

Lion via Le Hub, Megan via CU Athletics