Despite an early lead and initial momentum, the Columbia Lions struggled to counter Harvard’s dominant offense.

As a sports fan who loves to attend events and matches, I am embarrassed to admit that I had never actually been to a field hockey match before. So heading up to Baker Athletics Complex this past Friday I was excited to watch the Columbia Lions (3-7, 1-3 Ivy) face the Harvard Crimson (10-1, 4-0 Ivy) at my very first field hockey game. 

The Lions start off the first quarter strong, doing a good job attacking Harvard’s defense. Sophia Abate (CC ‘26) and Jacinta Solari Etcheberry (CC ‘28) shoot two shots on goal within the first four minutes of play. In the eighth minute goalie Katie Wimmer (CC ‘25) makes a great save during a Harvard corner penalty and another in the 13th minute to keep Harvard scoreless. With only 24 seconds remaining Jeannine Turgeon (SEAS ‘25) makes a long pass to McKenzie Bloom (CC ‘27) who deflects the ball into the goal giving the Lions the first goal of the match. Columbia’s momentum continues into the second quarter with the Lion’s defense not allowing Harvard to create any solid offensive opportunities. This momentum shifts eight minutes into the second quarter when Harvard scores off a corner penalty, tying the game at one all. Harvard quickly scores again two minutes later, giving them the lead. Columbia struggles to generate any offensive chances this quarter, with the only opportunity coming 14 minutes in when Sam Petrucco (CC ‘26) makes a great pass to Bloom near the goal who is unable to get a stick onto it. Harvard scores again with one minute remaining in the half, giving them a 3-1 lead. 

Halftime: Columbia 1, Harvard 3

Columbia continues to have difficulty maintaining possession of the ball to begin the second half, with much of the play happening at Columbia’s goal. Despite the Lions’ tight defense preventing a penalty corner goal, Harvard scores their first goal of the half within six minutes. Less than a minute later Turgeon makes a sloppy pass which is stolen by Harvard who score again, giving them a 5-1 lead. Columbia’s frustration seems to grow as another turnover leads to a Harvard fastbreak seven minutes into the quarter. While Wimmer makes a good save, Harvard deflects the ball into the goal. 6-1. Nine minutes into the quarter Wimmer commits a foul on the goal line handing Harvard a penalty shot which they successfully convert. Harvard now leads 7-1, scoring seven unanswered goals in two quarters. The Lions get their first chance of the half 11 minutes into the third quarter with a penalty corner. Etcheberry hits a backhand shot which is saved but Lizzie Adams (CC ‘28) is there to score on the deflection, giving Columbia their first goal since the first quarter. With less than a minute remaining in the third quarter, Wimmer makes a beautiful save off of a Harvard penalty corner. Three minutes into the fourth quarter Harvard scores their eighth goal of the day followed by another goal 11 minutes into the quarter giving them a 9-2 lead. Columbia continues to struggle offensively with very few possessions occurring at Harvard’s side of the field. Ashley Kim (CC ‘28) is fouled with two minutes left of the game on Harvard’s baseline giving the Lions a penalty shot. Lindsey Yu (CC ‘25) can convert the penalty giving the Lions their third goal of the day and the final goal of the match.

Fulltime: Columbia 3, Harvard 9.

Despite Columbia’s loss I still enjoyed my first field hockey game and plan to attend more this season. If I had fun watching a blowout loss then I can’t even imagine how exciting a close match would be. 

The Lions will travel to Rhode Island on Friday, October 18 to face Brown in a conference game. Their next home game is Sunday, October 20 against Delaware at Baker Athletic Complex.

Image Via CUAthletics