The Massachusetts field hockey team took a break from Atlantic 10 play as it looked to add to its four-game winning streak in its first-ever matchup against Columbia on Sunday.
But despite holding a 2-0 lead in the first half, the Minutewomen (6-8, 4-1 A-10) left New York without a victory, losing to the Lions 3-2.
For over 30 minutes of play, the game remained tied at 2-2. However, in the 62nd minute, Columbia (8-4, 2-1 Ivy League) was rewarded a penalty corner and Lauren Skudalski recorded the decisive score.
Seconds after Skudalski’s goal, UMass called a timeout in hopes of regrouping and setting up another opportunity to score. Despite two penalty corners and numerous shots in the final three minutes of the game, Lions’ sophomore goalkeeper Kendall Kuntz, who was starting her first career game, did not falter against the Minutewomen’s final attack.
UMass coach Carla Tagliente said that the Minutewomen could have easily been the winners of five in a row, but simply didn’t execute when it counted most on Sunday.
“We played well in the second half…we had two corners with no time on the clock and the ball shot across the goal cage at the end to tie it and we just didn’t capitalize,” Tagliente said. “We had a ball shot across the goalmouth in the first half, so there are three goals that we didn’t capitalize on.”
Hailey Cockrum continued her strong play for the season and tallied her fourth goal for UMass, all coming in the Minutewomen’s last four games. The sophomore midfielder was coming off of Friday’s game against Saint Joseph’s where she scored the game-winning goal in a 3-2 victory.
Cockrum’s goal came when she cut to the net and received a pass across the circle from Sarah Hawkshaw, which she was able to place behind Kuntz in the center of the cage.
“She has been in the right place at the right time. … She’s disciplined and understands where balls are going to come across the circle,” Tagliente said. “Her attention to detail has been great.”
UMass’ other goal came from senior Lauren Allymohamed in the 23rd minute, off of assists from Melanie Kreusch and Hawkshaw. The goal was Allymohamed’s third of the season.
Tagliente said she was disappointed that the Minutewomen lost such a close game.
“It’s a big step for this team to come up on the positive side of these games, and we haven’t,” Tagliente said. “We played well, but we tried to coast on a 2-0 lead instead of pushing it to three or four to zero.”
On Friday, UMass will host A-10 newcomer Davidson at 3 p.m.
Matthew Zackman can be reached at [email protected].
