College Field Hockey
Columbia University 4, Rider University 3 (ot)

NEW YORK, NY—The Columbia University field hockey team came all the way back from a 3-1, second half deficit to force overtime and the Lions scored 8:22 into the first overtime period to defeat Rider University on Sunday afternoon in a non-conference game.

“We gave this game away with poor decision making in the last critical moments of the game,” said head coach Lori Hussong.  “The repeated mistakes were costly.  We are lacking in consistency and grit which has always been the trade mark of our teams.”

For the Broncs, freshman Daane Koch hit the scoring column twice as Rider built the early lead.

Graduate student Leah Maxwell-Smith gave Rider a 1-0 lead, 6:35 into the game with her second goal of the season, on an assist from senior Carlota Alsina. 

Columbia scored on a reverse shot 2:24 into the second half to tie the game 1-1.

A three-time Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference Rookie of the Week honoree and reigning MAAC Offensive Player of the Week, Koch scored her eighth of the season with a high shot to the right corner of the goal in the 41st minute and she followed that effort in the 49th minute by scoring her ninth of the season after receiving a shovel pass from Alsina to give the Broncs a 3-1 lead.

Alsina leads the team with six assists.

Columbia scored twice on penalty corners: in the 54th minute and then again with just 3:23 left in regulation to tie the game 3-3 and force overtime.

Columbia held a 17-12 advantage in shots and penalty corners.

Freshman goalie Grace Huff made six saves for the Broncs.

The teams have now split eight games. Last season, Rider scored three unanswered goals, including two by then-sophomore Allison Baligian 43 seconds apart, as the Broncs won 5-3 at Columbia on September 4, 2015.  On October 3, 2012, the Lions prevailed 3-2 on Ben Cohen Field. In 2004, Rider defeated Columbia 2-0.

Rider (6-5) opens MAAC play at Fairfield University on October 7.

The Broncs return home at noon on October 9, hosting Bryant University in conference play.

-RU-