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NEW YORK - The Columbia women's soccer team will wrap up a
five-game homestand Friday night at the Columbia Soccer Stadium, when it hosts
Cornell in the Ivy League opener for both schools. Kick-off is slated for 7
p.m.
Columbia enters the matchup against the Big Red winners in
three of its last four games. Each victory over that period has come by way of
shutout, beginning with a 2-0 downing of Sacred Heart Sept. 7 and continued with
defeats of Fordham (2-0) and Marist (1-0) this past weekend.
Grace Redmon has started and played every minute in net for
the Lions this season, garnering credit for all three shutouts, most in the Ivy
League. The sophomore has recorded 32 saves this year, good for the second-highest
total in the Ancient Eight. In front of Redmon, the Columbia defense has done a
superb job of limiting opposing team's attacks. That defense is filled with
experience in senior Isabel King and juniors Shannon FItzPatrick, Chelsea Ryan
and Maya Marder.
Coleen Rizzo and Beverly Leon have led the offensive attack
for Columbia through the first six games. Each has recorded two goals and an
assist. Natalie Melo, who scored the game-winner against Marist, is tied with
King and Tori Goode for second on the team in points at two.
Cornell makes the trip to New York City still in search of
its first victory of the 2012 season. The Big Red is 0-7 following recent
losses to Sacred Heart (2-1) and La Salle (4-0).
The Cornell offense has tallied eight goals this season, two
more than Columbia, but has allowed opponents to score 25 times, while the
Lions have held its foes to just six. Xandra Hompe and Jayann Gabrio have each
scored twice this season to lead Cornell.
Tori Christ has played all but 20 minutes in net this season
in goal for the Big Red. Christ paces the Ivy League in saves with 39, but she
is also averaging 3.40 goals-against as Cornell has allowed its competitors to
rip off 123 shots through eight games.
On Sunday, Columbia will make its first road trip since a
Labor Day visit to Georgetown, heading to West Point, N.Y. to take on Army. The
Black Knights stand at 4-6 on the season following two recent losses at the
Under Armour Classic to Cal State Fullerton and No. 20 Long Beach State.
Kim An and Joey Molacek have each netted three goals this
season, including two game-winners for Molacek. In net, Linda Ross has posted a
1.41 goals-against average and a pair of shutouts en route to a 4-5 record.
Army holds the edge in the all-time series, 12-7, but the
Lions have been victorious in six of the last seven meetings between the two
squads.
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