WEST POINT, N.Y. - Columbia (1-5-4) and Army West Point (4-4-5) played to a 2-2 draw on Tuesday evening at Clinton Field, with both teams trading goals in an intense match witnessed by 1,247 spectators.
Kelly Cooper put Army West Point ahead in the 4th minute with a low strike to the left corner. The Black Knights doubled their advantage when Jubril Bamgbala found the net in the 12th minute off an assist from Nicholas Berardi. Columbia fought back in the second half, with Andrew Hilton II scoring in the 56th minute from Jack McDaid's setup, before Andres Garcia equalized in the 81st minute.
The first half belonged to Army West Point, who dominated possession and created multiple scoring chances. Kasem Minzey tested the Columbia defense with a shot in the 9th minute that sailed wide right. The Black Knights' pressure paid off with their two early goals, while limiting Columbia to just three shots in the opening period. Ronald Zhai was particularly effective in controlling the midfield for Army.
Columbia emerged with renewed energy after halftime, led by Ryan Yang's increased presence in attack. The Lions' tactical adjustment to push Jack McDaid further forward proved crucial to their comeback. The momentum shifted notably after the hour mark, with Columbia creating several dangerous opportunities. Both teams made strategic substitutions, with Army bringing on Eric Lusskin and Kai Thomas in the 63rd minute to try to preserve their lead.
The final statistics reflected the match's competitive nature. Army West Point recorded 10 shot attempts to Columbia's 8, with both teams putting 4 shots on target. The Lions held a slight edge in corner kicks (4-3), while the disciplinary count showed two yellow cards for Columbia - issued to Joe McDaid in the 69th minute and Jackson ten Oever in the 82nd minute.
Individual performances stood out on both sides. Andrew Hilton II was particularly impactful for Columbia, not only scoring but creating several chances in the second half. For Army, Kelly Cooper's early goal set the tone, while Justin Davidyock marshaled the defense effectively despite the eventual equalizer. Jubril Bamgbala's presence in attack caused problems for Columbia's backline throughout the first half.
The tactical battle showcased both teams' adaptability. Army's initial high-pressing approach yielded early rewards, but Columbia's adjustment to a more direct attacking style in the second half proved effective. The Lions' increased use of width through Will Case and Andres Garcia stretched Army's defense, while the Black Knights' attempts to counter through Kasem Minzey and Ronald Zhai remained dangerous throughout.
For Columbia, the comeback draw represents a positive result following recent setbacks against Yale and Dartmouth. The Lions showed resilience to fight back from two goals down, while Army West Point will be disappointed to have relinquished their early advantage. The result extends Columbia's unbeaten streak to one, while Army maintains their mid-table position in their conference.
Both teams face quick turnarounds with weekend fixtures. Columbia travels to Princeton for a 4:00 PM kickoff on Saturday, while Army West Point hosts Holy Cross at 6:00 PM the same day. The draw leaves both teams looking to build momentum as they enter crucial stretches of their conference schedules.