Columbia's Nicholas Pappacena scored 36 seconds into the second half, while Arthur Bosua added an insurance marker later in the period, as the Lions snapped the Fordham Rams' four-game unbeaten streak by a score of 2-0 at Commisso Soccer Stadium.
With the loss, Fordham falls to 3-3-1, while Columbia improved to 3-2-0.
The first chance of the game belonged to Columbia in the third minute, as Antonio Matarazzo's shot was stopped by Fordham goalkeeper
Sean Brailey, low to the left post.
Fordham's first scoring opportunity was in the 33
rd minute off a Columbia foul.
Tomas Penfold would take the free kick from just outside the left side of the box. Penfold's cross would get intercepted by Columbia goalkeeper Dylan Castanheira just in front of two Fordham players cutting toward the net.
The score remained at 0-0 because of Brailey, as he made two outstanding saves in the 23
rd minute on Arthur Bosua and in the 44
th minute by Andrew Tinari.
Columbia would break through right after halftime, just 36 seconds into the period. Rhys Williams took advantage of a Fordham turnover, making a run to the endline, and crossing the ball back in front. Nicholas Pappacena quickly pounced on the cross and scored from six yards out for his first goal of the year.
The Lions almost made it a 2-0 game just two minutes later, when Tinari blasted a shot toward the upper right corner. Brailey made an initial stop, and then had to quickly catch the rebound that almost went over the line.
Columbia would get that second marker in the 81
st minute, as Bosua headed in a Tinari corner kick for his first goal of the season.
Fordham tried to get back into the contest in the 86
th minute, as
Andres Penfold had an opportunity in the box that was blocked. The rebound came out to
Tomas Penfold, who blasted a shot to the lower left corner that was stopped by Castanheira with a diving save.
Castanheira would keep the clean sheet, making two saves, while Brailey had four for Fordham.
The Fordham men's soccer team will next be in action on Saturday, September 27th, when the Rams play at Dartmouth, beginning at 3:00 PM.
