NEW HAVEN, Conn. – Marz Akins' nifty first-half goal led the Yale women's soccer team to defeat Columbia, 1-0, at Reese Stadium. With the win the Bulldogs improved to 7-5-3 overall and 3-1-2 in the Ivy league, while the Lions fell to 7-4-3 overall and 3-2-1 in the Ivy. 

The win over Columbia leaped Yale over the Lions in the Ivy standings into third place with one game remaining for both against the top two teams.
 
Prior to the start of the game, the Bulldogs honored their three-member senior class: Simone Eligon, Giana Pittaro, and Giovanna Dionicio. "What an awesome day. To celebrate the careers of Simone, G, and Gio, while also getting another shutout win is massive for our program," said Sarah Martinez, The Loring Family Head Coach. "I'm so proud of each person on this team. We took incredible pride in protecting Reese this fall and to finish the year undefeated at home, only conceding one goal here, is amazing."

How It Happened

• There were multiple scoring opportunities for the Bulldogs early on in the first half, but Columbia's Paige Nurkin made timely saves to keep the game scoreless.
• In the 38th minute, Ellie Rappole distributed a ball to the front of goal, while Marz Akins dodged her way around a Columbia defender and headed it home.

38' ? | GOALLLLLLL MARZ AKINS FROM ELLIE RAPPOLE GIVE THE BULLDOGS THE LEAD!#ThisIsYale pic.twitter.com/DPZPaKNmBS

— Yale Women's Soccer (@YaleWSoccer) October 29, 2022

• Columbia put the pressure on in the second half and forced Marisa Shorrock to make six saves, but ultimately could not solve the Bulldogs' keeper.

 
Notes

• This is the first time since 2011 that the Bulldogs have recorded seven wins at home.
• Yale's five-straight clean sheets, dating back to Oct. 8 against Dartmouth, is a program record for consecutive shutouts. They have not allowed a goal in over 452 minutes. The record for consecutive shutouts was set in 2004 when the Bulldogs had four-straight between Sept. 5, 2004 and Sept. 12, 2004. They outscored their opponents, 8-0, over that span.
• Marisa Shorrock notched her fifth clean sheet in as many appearances.
• Shorrock's eight saves against Columbia were a career-high. Her previous career-high was five saves against Dartmouth on Oct. 8, 2022. 
• Marz Akins notched her first career goal.
• Elle Rappole recorded her third assist of the season and sixth of her career.

"The new program record of five-straight shutouts is a testament to so many things. Our grittiness defensively, our buy-in as a group, individual heroics at times, and the way we have taken care of the ball. Our philosophy all season long has been focused and the idea that the best way to defend is to keep the ball longer. That confidence coupled with the confidence we have in our defenders and goalkeeper is a strong feeling we have amongst the group," Martinez concluded.

Up Next
The Bulldogs cap the season on the road at Brown on Saturday, Nov. 5.