Army Rallies Past Columbia, 2-1

Sunday, September 7

West Point, N.Y.

1:30 PM

Army West Point

3-3-0

Columbia

0-1-1

Team	1	2	Final F
Columbia	1	0	1
Army	0	2	2

Army Rallies Past Columbia, 2-1

September 07, 2014 | Women's Soccer

Box Score

WEST POINT, NY. - Sam Gottlieb and Katie Holder each scored a goal in the second half and goalkeeper Jordan Cassalia recorded 10 saves as Army posted a 2-1 come-from-behind victory over Columbia in a non-conference women's soccer match at Clinton Field Sunday afternoon.

It is the second straight comeback win this weekend for the Black Knights (3-3-0) who pulled out a 2-1 victory over Delaware Friday evening in opening a three-game homestand. Holder, scoring her second goal of the weekend, tallied the equalizer in the win over the Blue Hens, while notching her first game winner of the season in the decision over the Lions.

Army trailed 1-0 at halftime following Courtney Garrity's goal just before intermission. In the second half, Gottlieb scored the equalizer in the 57th minute for her first collegiate goal that came off an assist from Pam Wishart. Gottlieb fired a 12-yard shot into the right corner of the Lions net to tie the game 1-1.

Eight minute later Holder received a 20-yard pass from Candace Stewart, and with a defender behind her, the Army junior made a nice run and slotted the ball to the far post beating Gabby with a left footed shot for a 2-1 Army lead in picking up the fourth game winner of her career.

"It is a team effort and we go out there and play our best," said a smiling Holder following the win. "Unfortunately we had to battle back at the half, but we are going to get better.

"I could not have asked for a better ball from Candace (Stewart) and I got if off my chest. We have been practicing a lot of placing the ball in the corner. The goalie was out of position and I got the shot."

In goal, Cassalia recorded seven of her 10 saves in the second half to include five stops over the final 25 minutes of action in preserving Army's lead. Cassalia, who registered 25 saves over the weekend, rejected a pair of back-to-back shots by Alex Yow over a span of 2:28 in the final minutes of play as Army pulled out to a 14-7 lead in the all-time series with the Lions.

"I think it is important that we put together back-to-back results and this is a positive step for us," said second-year Army coach Marcia McDermott following the win. "The mental toughness of this team is starting to show, and that is an important quality that we are excited about.

"We are seeing a lot of different personnel finishing, and that is crucial. We are seeing a lot of composure in front of the goal, which I see as a quality we can build upon.

"It was nice to see Candace with two assists this weekend as she is figuring out how to become a threat and play her teammates in for goal scoring opportunities," added McDermott.

"Our defense is starting to jell back there and being led by Jordan, who not only is playing well, but displaying a lot of leadership in the back which is important for our success.

"Every time you come from behind you have to acknowledge there is some grit and resilience involved. In the second half we played more the style we want to play to possess the ball in parts of the field that works better for us. We did a better job of being patient."

Columbia outshot Army 18-14, but the Black Knights held a 10-1 advantage in corner kicks.

Army closes out its three-game homestand Friday evening hosting Seton Hall at West Point at 7 p.m.