Yale Athletics
On Saturday, the Yale Women’s Soccer team (8–6–1, 2–3–1 Ivy) fought valiantly against Columbia (7–3–4, 5–0–1 Ivy) at home at Reese Stadium, but ultimately fell 2–3.
The Lions entered the arena leading the Ivy League, fresh off having clinched a berth in the tournament and looking to earn hosting rights. Their clean, undefeated record was marred slightly by a tie with Brown (6–3–5, 3–1–2 Ivy) in the previous game, and the Bulldogs looked to put the first conference loss of the season in the books.
The matchup against Columbia also marked Senior Day for Yale, where the team celebrated all eleven seniors and their contributions to the program: Mariana Akins ’25, Laila Booker ’25, Annika Bryant ’25, Alanna Butcher ’25, Tanner Cahalan ’25, Abby Moos ’25, Meredith Phillips ’25, Ellie Rappole ’25, Rebeka Róth ’25, Tina Teik ’25 and captain Nana Yang ’25.
Head Coach Sarah Martinez told Yale Athletics that her team wished to send its seniors off with a win at Reese, given that this contest would be their final game at home.
In the first period, Yale had many early opportunities to score. Three corner kicks came within eight minutes, but none provided enough momentum to capitalize. It was not until forty minutes into the game that the Bulldogs found their first gap.
At 39:45, Cahalan began to drive the ball up the left side of the field, making a fast break for the goal. Her eyes still up for her teammates, she soon passed to Ashley Kirschner ’26, who waited just long enough for Karoline Hernes ’27 to get into the perfect position to score. Hernes’ goal was the first of her season and the second of her career.
The period ended with the Bulldogs up, 1–0.
Quickly after, they were able to double the deficit.
Taking advantage of a corner kick about fourteen minutes after the start of the second period, Butcher scored an Olimpico goal — a goal made without an assist from the person taking the corner kick — and sent the fans into an uproar.
This was Butcher’s third goal of the season, after her two-goal game to secure a victory against Princeton (11–4, 5–1 Ivy).
Everything seemed to be coming up Bulldogs, and it appeared as though a resounding victory over the leading Ivy team was in sight. Then, a faint but mighty roar sent Reese’s stands crashing down.
At 64:54, a goal by Columbia’s Maia Tabion split the deficit in half, and in the blink of an eye — or the span of seven minutes — another goal tied the game entirely.
As the clock dwindled, Tabion seemed to put the entire Lions’ offense on her back, and at 83:25, sent a high shot past the reach of goalie Anna Shamgochian ’28 and into the back of the net. This was the final and fatal blow of a game that just slipped out of reach for the Bulldogs.
Eventually, the clock drained to zero, and the Columbia Lions’ fight proved stronger than Yale’s defensive stamina. The final score sung on the scoreboard, 2–3.
Martinez told Yale Athletics the team still has “plenty to still play for.”
Yale’s fate for the rest of the season will come down to the final game against the Harvard Crimson (6–3–5, 2–3–1 Ivy) in Cambridge, Mass. The two teams are currently tied in the rankings, meaning whoever wins could potentially secure the fourth and final bid to the Ivy League tournament and compete for a spot in the NCAA tournament.
“We’ve done enough to still control our own destiny,” Martinez said. “We will feel a playoff type game before playoff starts and I’m excited to see how our group responds and prepares for this opportunity.”
The game will take place on Saturday, Nov. 2 at 3 p.m.