EASTON, Pa. – The Columbia lacrosse team used a nine goal second half to pull away from Lafayette and defeat the Leopards 15-8 on March 1. With the win, the Lions improve to 2-0 this season.

"In the first half we looked sloppy and weren't playing our style of game," said head coach Kerri Whitaker. "We came out in the second half and did all the things we needed to do. We found our offensive rhythm, had the offensive possessions we're looking to have, and really turned it around on draw controls."

Columbia held a narrow 6-5 lead entering at the half after jumping out to an early 3-0 lead on unassisted goals by Holly Glynn, Rachael Ryan, and Taylor Gattinella. But the Leopards would tie the game at 16:45 with a three-goal run of their own.

The Lions would take their second lead of the day on back-to-back goals from seniors Lauren Olsen and Glynn to make it 5-3, but Lafayette cut Columbia's lead to one with a goal by Andrea Corpora with 19 seconds remaining in the half.

Brittany Shannon scored the second of her game-high six goals just over a minute into the second half, expanding Columbia's lead to 7-5, but the Leopards followed with back-to-back goals to tie the game at seven apiece.

It was then the Lions offense erupted with a seven goal run to take a commanding 14-7 lead. Over a ten minute span, Shannon scored four goals, while Olsen, Ryan, and Gattinella each added single tallies.

The two team traded goals in the final eight minutes of play, as Columbia picked up its second win of the season.

Emma Mintz had a solid showing in goal for Columbia, recording eight saves and a game-high four groundballs.

"Emma played huge for us today," noted Whitaker, "and our defense had some really key stops all throughout the game."

Shannon paced the Lions with six goals, while Olsen finished with two goals and two assists.

Columbia (2-0) returns to action on Wednesday, March 4 when it travels to Staten Island, N.Y. for a 3:00 p.m. matchup against Wagner.

2009-03-01