On an unseasonably warm Saturday afternoon, Columbia played the University of Pennsylvania in their second to last game of the season. Sophia Blythe and Mila Noshrivani made the trip to 218th Street on the 1 with Absolute Bagels and coffees in hand, ready to report on their first Columbia soccer game.

Soccer has been more than just a passing interest for us; it’s a realm we’ve ventured into ourselves. Both of us have had our fair share of experience on the field, navigating the twists and turns of the game during our middle school years. So, there we were, perched in the stands, eager spectators turned self-proclaimed soccer pundits. The crowd of supporters was small, mainly families coming to support their kids on the field, which was sweet to see. 

We found ourselves immersed in a flurry of soccer jargon, effortlessly tossing around terms like “corner kick,” “offsides,” and “assist,” in an attempt to match the pace of the game unfolding before our eyes. It was a frantic yet exhilarating effort to keep up with the strategy on the field. In frustrating moments, we found ourselves yelling, “Take it all the way!” As if we could do any better than the players on the field. There were moments when we wished we could run out onto the field and help, but we probably wouldn’t have been much assistance. 

First Half:

As soon as the referee blew the whistle, marking the start of the game, it was clear that the Lions were a close-knit team who knew how to work together and communicate. Things began to pick up speed when Penn (6-3-5, 3-1-2 Ivy) received a penalty kick. It was awarded to Michael Hewes (Penn ‘24) as the referee claimed that a shot taken by Stas Korzeniowski (Penn ‘25) was blocked by a handball from Matthew Leong (CC ‘24). Tensions were high, and this caused a brief argument between the two teams. Even amidst the frustration, as soon as play resumed, the Lions were ready to face the game head-on; no pun intended. Hewes scored the first and only goal thirteen minutes into the game.  

Despite this setback, the Lions continued to play well and strategically. Their ability to stay composed on the field with high energy levels was admirable. Anyone in the stands could tell that nothing was going to make the Lions give up. 

Shortly after the goal, Columbia’s Jake Novoshelski (CC ‘ 24) pounded the ball into the back of the net but was deemed offsides by the line judge. Columbia almost scored when Ryan Kipness (CC ‘25) took one of Columbia’s seven corner kicks. Unfortunately, the ball was sent just too far off the post. Their shots on goal were well intended but just fell short. The rest of the half continued with both teams playing strongly, possession was evenly distributed. 

Second Half:

The Lions exhibited sheer determination in the second half, coming tantalizingly close to scoring on multiple occasions. In the first few minutes of the second half, the Lions had consecutive corner kicks and a shot on goal by Joao Lima (CC ’26). Unfortunately, the shot was blocked. Another exciting moment was when Adrien Wheaton-Schopp (CC ‘25) took a shot on goal, but his kick sent the ball too high and off-mark. 

Reflecting on the team’s performance, Head Coach Michael Casper highlighted the group’s unwavering character and positive mindset. In an article by Columbia University Athletics, Casper remarked, “There is a lot of character in this group and their mentality is good. They want to win, they want to play hard and they want to play well. It doesn’t take a lot to keep them motivated.” Despite their strong play in the latter part of the match, the setback from Hewes’ earlier goal was palpable, ultimately resulting in the final score remaining unchanged since the first half. 

In total, Columbia (2-8-3, 0-5-1 Ivy) managed ten shots on goal, four of which were on target. The team is gearing up for their season finale, seeking redemption as they prepare to face Cornell (14-4-1, 5-1-1 Ivy) at the Rocco B. Commisso Soccer Stadium on November 4th. Anticipation is high for an electrifying showdown, as the team is expected to display the same level of fervor and skill witnessed in their recent match.

The intensity of the game stirred nostalgia, reminiscent of our middle school soccer days, a sentiment shared by both of us in attendance.

Soccer Stadium via Bwarchives