After last week’s matches ended in a tie against Stony Brook University and a tough loss versus Fairfield University, the Rams headed into their fourth week of play sitting at 2-2-1 on the season.
The first matchup of the week came against Columbia University. Fordham honored those who have served on the front lines with their First Responders Match, the team’s last home game before the anniversary of 9/11.
The Rams and Lions battled it out on Jack Coffey Field on another hot day in the Bronx, which ended in Fordham falling 2-0. The game started promisingly for Fordham, with the Rams earning a corner kick in the first two minutes.
Freshman Lena Johnsen sent the corner into the box, leading to an opportunity for graduate student Emily Crocco, which the Columbia goalie Page Nurkin saved. That would be the only shot Fordham could muster in the first half, as it was a defensive battle from their side the rest of the way. Columbia dominated possession throughout the half, getting off six shots, but none found the back of the net.
After pressuring for most of the first half, Columbia capitalized on an opportunity in the 48th minute, breaking the 0-0 tie and going up 1-0. Seven minutes later, a foul on Fordham led to a free kick for Columbia, but senior goalie Serena Mensah made a beautiful leaping save. The save was one of seven on the day for Mensah, who had an excellent match filling in for sophomore Kyla King after King was suspended for the game for receiving a red card in the previous match. Columbia tacked on an insurance goal in the 79th minute, taking the game 2-0.
Trying to get back to .500, the Rams traveled to the state capital to wrap up non-conference play against the University of Albany on Sunday. The Rams had their fair share of opportunities in the first half, with six shots, but only two were on target. The defense held strong, only allowing four shots, with none on goal.
The contest’s lone goal came at the 57th-minute mark after a Fordham foul led to an Albany free kick, which was put into the box, allowing a header that found the back of the net. The Rams could not tie the game as Albany took the match 1-0.
The two losses on the week put Fordham at 2-4-1 in non-conference play. The Rams start a string of 11 Atlantic 10 matches to finish off the season this week, with the first one set for Thursday night at home against George Mason University. Those 11 games will determine whether or not Fordham will find themselves in the conference tournament at the end of the season.
