NEW YORK, NEW YORK - Stepan Kapranov needed just 5 minutes and 33 seconds to write the story of Columbia's emphatic victory, slotting home a beautifully weighted cross from Henning Myrvang and Amir Yahalom's incisive combination play, propelling the Lions to a 5-1 thrashing of visiting Fordham before 842 fans at Robert K. Kraft Field.
The early breakthrough set the tone for what became a one-way contest, with Columbia dictating the pace and Fordham struggling to mount a coherent response. The Lions' midfield orchestrated the attack with precision, creating multiple scoring chances while stifling Fordham's attempts to gain a foothold in the game.
Columbia's second goal arrived in the 31st minute when Peter Chang finished clinically, assisted by Luke Zielinski's pinpoint pass that split the Fordham defense. The Black Knights continued to control the game, with Ryan Yang making it 3-0 just six minutes later, capitalizing on Joe McDaid's clever through ball that unlocked Fordham's backline.
Fordham's struggles continued into the second half, conceding two more goals in the opening minutes. Daniel Lang scored his first goal for Columbia in the 47th minute, and Luke Zielinski doubled his tally just five minutes later, finishing Brandon Newman's perfectly weighted cross with composure. Fordham's Will Carnoy finally broke Columbia's defensive resolve in the 83rd minute, but it was too little, too late.
The statistical ledger reveals Columbia's dominance across various metrics. The Lions outshot Fordham 9-8 on target, despite being outshot overall 26-15. Columbia also held a marginal advantage in corner kicks, winning six to Fordham's four. Fordham's goalkeeper made seven saves, while Columbia's made four. The disparity in shots on target encapsulates Columbia's efficiency in front of goal, converting their chances with ruthless precision.
The victory represents more than three points for Columbia; it marks their second consecutive win and improves their record to 3-6-4 overall. For Fordham, the loss extends their losing streak to three games, dropping their record to 7-5-3. The Black Knights will look to bounce back against St. Bonaventure, while Columbia prepares to face Brown.
Columbia's resurgence was fueled by their attacking prowess, with Kapranov, Chang, Yang, Lang, and Zielinski all finding the back of the net. The Lions' midfield, marshaled by players like Luke Zielinski and Joe McDaid, controlled the tempo of the game, creating numerous scoring opportunities through their incisive passing and intelligent movement.
Looking ahead, the paths diverge sharply for both teams. Columbia will need to maintain their momentum against Brown, while Fordham must regroup and address their defensive vulnerabilities ahead of their clash with St. Bonaventure. The afternoon belonged to Columbiaβand specifically to their attacking quartet, who epitomized the Lions' afternoon of clinical finishing and ruthless efficiency.
Key Players:
Stepan Kapranov (Columbia) β Opened the scoring with a clinical finish, showcasing his predatory instincts and composure in front of goal.
Luke Zielinski (Columbia) β Orchestrated Columbia's attack with precise passing and intelligent movement, providing two assists and a goal.
Ryan Yang (Columbia) β Demonstrated his versatility by scoring a goal and providing a crucial assist, highlighting his importance to Columbia's attacking play.
Will Carnoy (Fordham) β Scored Fordham's consolation goal, providing a glimmer of hope amidst an otherwise dismal performance.