I've run out of top-tier venues at which to watch games in NYC, so I've started looking to minor college sports, such as soccer. Unfortunately, the season is ending just as I return from Japan, but there was one game left on the schedule as Columbia hosted Cornell to conclude the Ivy League campaign. The Lions play out of Rocco B. Commisso Soccer Stadium, located in their Baker Athletics Complex on the northern tip of Manhattan. Their football stadium is here as well and I attended a game back in 2014, not realizing at the time that the soccer stadium was right next door.
That is not surprising, however, because the stadium is somewhat hidden to the right as you make your way up the hill. The only sign that there is an actual venue here is the plaque commemorating the dedication that happened just over 5 years ago. Commisso is the owner of the New York Cosmos and played for the Lions many years ago.
Admission is free here, with the seating area taking up the entire sideline. There are 14 rows of benches with fans well spread out from end to end. Despite the frigid conditions (there were snowflakes falling as I arrived), there was a hardy crowd of 633 on hand, with many Cornell alumni coming out to cheer their club on.
Columbia were national champions back in 1909 and 1910 and that fact is noted on the far sideline, along with other more recent accomplishments. Note that then entire field is surrounded by the light blue tarp that keeps the wind to a minimum on the field, but does not extend to the seats. At least the sun was shining for most of the afternoon, making it reasonably comfortable.
At halftime, many fans scooted across the street to the Park Terrace Deli or Twin Donut to warm up and get a snack. There are no concessions here otherwise. My advice is to buy something before the game and avoid the long lines at the intermission.
Columbia came in with a shot at the Ivy League title, needing a win and a Princeton loss or draw to get their spot in the tournament. Cornell was 8-1 on the road and was once ranked #24 in the country, providing a worthy obstacle to Columbia's championship hopes. The first half was rather uneventful, as was the early part of the second. Columbia finally opened the scoring with John Denis freeing up on the right side and blasting one past Ryan Shellow in the 59th minute. After that, Cornell really started applying the pressure, and Columbia keeper Dylan Castanheira was excellent on several stops in close. But Cornell did not relent and in the 73rd minute, a deft Tyler Bagley backwards pass found John Scearce who drilled it home from the top of the box to knot things at 1.
Only more heroics from Castanheira, including a diving save to keep out a shot headed for the upper-right corner, kept the game tied, and that is how regulation finished, sending us to overtime. The NCAA uses two 10-minute periods of extra time with the golden goal rule. If a team scores, they win with that goal, but if no team scores, the game ends in a draw. Columbia needed the win, but they could not get anything going against a strong Cornell attack. With 3:58 remaining, Cornell's Charles Touche slammed a shot that beat Castanheira, hit the bottom of the crossbar, and bounced into the net. Columbia's players dropped to the ground in disbelief as the Big Red celebrated their win, while Princeton clinched the Ivy title without having to play a game (they lost 1-0 to Yale).
I was sitting with the Cornell alumni and Shellow and Harry Fuller ran over to celebrate with them. This was a very entertaining game after the first hour, and I was glad I went. NCAA soccer gets almost no coverage, but it can be fun in the right circumstances.
Notes
Despite giving up two goals, Castanheira finishes his career with the Ivy League record for goals against average at 0.513.
Columbia did not gain an at-large bid in the tournament, which opens on Thursday with matches taking place on campus. Princeton, the Ivy League champ, traveled to Michigan for their first match, which they drew 1-1 before losing on penalties. 11-10, in 14 rounds.
Next Up
I'm hanging around New York for the next little while, with a quick trip to Buffalo for the Leafs in early December, and then a trip to Kansas City for some college hoops in the middle of the month. Check back for updates regularly.
Best,
Sean
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