Box Score
 
NEWARK, NJ– Coleen Rizzo scored off a header in the first half and Beverly Leon added a goal in the second half, as Columbia took a 2-0 decision over the NJIT women's soccer team Sunday night at Lubetkin Field at Mal Simon Stadium.
 
The loss sent the struggling Highlanders' record to 2-10-3 overall while Columbia evened its record at 6-6 with the win. 
 
The Lions came out strong and had four solid scoring chances in the first 15 minutes. Erin Falk had two shots, with Leon and Rizzo each recording one.  NJIT goalkeeper Samantha Bersett made one save in that flurry, keeping the match scoreless.
 
Finally, the Lions broke through in the 21^st minute. Maya Marder took a direct free kick from just outside the penalty area and her perfect placement allowed Rizzo to head the ball past Bersett for her first goal of the season.
 
Bersett kept the Columbia lead at a single goal with a diving save on Addie Jensen's shot from point blank range in the 43^rd minute. Columbia took the 1-0 lead into intermission.
 
The Highlanders had a good chance to get the equalizer in the 51^st minute, but freshman midfielder Madeline Griep's shot was stopped by Columbia goalkeeper Grace Redmon.
 
In the 57^th minute, Jensen had a decent chance to increase the lead, but her shot was stopped by Bersett.
 
Finally, Columbia got the second goal in the 69^th minute, when Natalie Melo made a nice pass to Leon, who was alone at the top of the box and fired a wicked shot past Bersett for a 2-0 Lion lead.
 
It was the fifth goal of the season for Leon, tops among the Lions scorers.
 
Junior midfielder Amanda Redden had two shots in the final five minutes, but one shot was blocked by the Lions' backline before it reached Redmon and the second sailed wide.
 
Bersett registered three saves in goal for the Highlanders.
 
NJIT head coach Sergio Gonzalez was encouraged with his team's performance, especially after the Highlanders had to travel from Utah on Saturday, after falling to Utah Valley late Friday night.
 
“If you looked at our team, you would never have known they played in Utah Friday night,” Gonzalez said. “They gave a really good effort. We really played some good soccer. A good team like Columbia will make you pay for mistakes. The second goal, we gave the girl (Leon) too much time and space. But besides the goals, we were good from the attacking standpoint. We had good possession and we were little stronger with our decision making. Even defensively, outside of the two goals, we played well. We just made two mistakes and they made us pay.”
 
Gonzalez was pleased with the play of freshman defender Danielle Pierce, who has been battling injury.
 
“She's been a warrior and gave us a great effort,” Gonzalez said. “I thought (sophomore midfielder) Kylie Jones did a good job in the midfield and the backline was solid. We're getting more from Red (Amanda Redden) and we're giving her a chance to have more of an attacking role.”
 
The Highlanders return to action Thursday night at Lubetkin Field at Mal Simon Stadium, when they play host to Delaware State in Great West Conference action. Game time is 7 p.m.
 
Write-up courtesy James Hague