The College of William and Mary (2-2-1) lost 1-0 to Columbia University Sunday in a match that was as physical as it was frustrating.
The Tribe got off to a slow start in the eighth minute when Columbia midfielder Liz Wicks gathered a loose ball at the top of the box, dribbled to the top-right corner and fired a shot top-corner, far-post past Tribe senior goalkeeper Meghan Walker.
It was one of the Lions’ few scoring opportunities on Walker, who had two saves in three chances. The Tribe outshot the Lions 18-7, but was unable to put any in the back of the net.
The Tribe’s best chances came at the end of the first half. In the 35th minute, after an impressive run down the left side, freshman forward Stephanie Gerow fired a shot high over the goal. A minute later, freshman back Kristen Smith settled the ball 20 yards in front of the box, but also missed high.
Senior forward Claire Zimmeck — the Tribe’s leading scorer with four goals — only got off one shot on goal as the Lions defense targeted her all match and committed 17 fouls to the College’s seven.
Zimmeck had a couple nice runs toward the end of regulation, but was twice knocked down inside the goal box without a foul being called.
“It was very frustrating,” Zimmeck said. “I didn’t get the calls I thought I would get, but you don’t have control over everything.”
Zimmeck finished the night scoreless — for only the second time this season.
Senior midfielder Dani Collins also finished the match scoreless after being limited by a head injury in the 30th minute. The injury occurred when Collins collided heads with a Columbia defender on a cross into the box from senior back Abby Lauer.
Collins was taken off the field to end the first period but was able to return to action at the start of the second period. Collins did not appear to be at full strength and operated more as a distributor in the middle of the field than as a finisher inside the box for the rest of the match.
Afterward, the Tribe offered no excuses for the loss and instead focused on its next match against the sixth-ranked University of Virginia.
“I think we all could have played better,” Zimmeck said. “Next game we’re just going to have to come out harder.”
