Three-time Ivy League regular season defending champion Penn opened conference play against Columbia on Sunday, but instead of the trend-setting win they hoped for, the Red and Blue were forced to settle for a 2-2 tie against a resilient Columbia side.
The Quakers (3-2-3, 0-0-1 Ivy) controlled much of the early play, holding the ball comfortably in the back and building momentum through the midfield. With little pressure from the Lions (1-3-3, 0-0-1), the Quakers looked to hold possession and patiently create opportunities.
After several near chances for both teams —including a dangerous ball into the box from senior midfielder Pattrick Cayelli and a long-range strike by Columbia’s Jack McDaid that tested the Quaker defense — the Lions finally broke through in the 12th minute.
In a counterattack responding to Penn’s roughly 10-minute possession, Columbia sent a long ball down the field. Penn’s defense swarmed, but McDaid was open at the top of the box, and with an assist from two teammates, he was able to connect for the Lions.
With this boost of confidence, Columbia kept up good pressure, but the Quakers defense held strong. After concerted defensive efforts, the Quakers were able to find an equalizer. With the Columbia goalkeeper off his line, Cayelli outran the defense following a long pass from junior midfielder George Herbert and was able to chip it into the goal for the Quakers.
Just minutes later, the Quakers had another chance in the box, but the Lions defense got in the way. Yet another opportunity arose when sophomore forward Romeo Dahlen met a cross from Cayelli, but his header went straight to the goalie. With 14 minutes left in the first half, senior defender Oliver Pratt made an acrobatic attempt to redirect a ball in the air, but it went just wide.
Penn continued to sustain this effort and pressure until the end of the half. Cayelli sent a well-placed short pass for sophomore midfielder Marco Bottene in the box, but the shot hit the inside of the crossbar. A cross from Pratt found senior forward Jack Wagoner, who headed it from the six, hitting the post again. After this period of Quakers' aggression, Penn ended the half outshooting the Lions 10-5 despite the tied score.
This trend continued through the beginning of the second period. A cross from senior midfielder Gavin Seele found junior defender Connor Dawson, whose header forced a diving save. Persistent, Wagner found the rebound and headed it in to put the Quakers up 2-1.
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But Columbia refused to fold, and a sense of urgency from the Lions emerged. The Lions grew into the game with extended spells of possession, but they were initially unable to break through the lockdown of Penn’s back line.
The Lions’ patience paid off, however, when Columbia midfielder Alessandro Franciosa fired a strike from distance that broke through Penn’s defense to tie the game.
The Quakers resumed an offensive push, but unlike before, the Lions did not give the back line space and began to press. Both teams got time with the ball, but little resulted.
With just 15 minutes left in regulation, Columbia got off a shot from a cross that just missed the goal. Junior defender Owen Sullivan responded with a shot in the box, but it was also saved. Both teams pushed for the goal they needed for a win in the final minutes, but nothing was found. The scoreboard remained at 2-2.
This tie marked a slow start to a Penn team with high expectations. Last season, the Quakers went undefeated in regular-season play, and they were predicted to sit near the top of the Ancient Eight again this season.
The Red and Blue will seek to turn the tide on Oct. 4 when they face off against Harvard, this time on their home turf of Rhodes Field.
