Women's Soccer Clinches Ivy League Tournament Berth, Improve to 5-0 in League Play

Saturday, October 14

New York, N.Y.

6 p.m.

Brown University

9-1-2, 5-0-0

Columbia

7-3-3, 1-2-2

Brown

Columbia

Photo by: Peter Schwaller

Women's Soccer Clinches Ivy League Tournament Berth, Improve to 5-0 in League Play

10/14/2023 8:27:00 PM | Women's Soccer

Box Score

NEW YORK – Seconds into the rainy contest, the Columbia broadcaster spoke about "the great Brittany Raphino." The senior and reigning back-to-back Ivy League Offensive Player of the Week beat her defender and scored her 10^th goal of the season 35 seconds into the match.

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That was all No. 16/15 Brown (9-1-2, 5-0-0 Ivy) needed to defeat Columbia (7-3-3, 1-2-2 Ivy) on Saturday evening at Rocco B. Commisso Soccer Stadium as the Bears clinched a spot in the return of the Ivy League Tournament, becoming the first to do so, in the 1-0 win. Brown is now 24-0-2 in its last 26 Ivy League contests.

"We got out the gates quick today and Brittany was able to capitalize on a chance in the opening seconds of the game," said head coach Kia McNeill. "I think we had a few good chances in the first half that we probably should have capitalized on. After the half, the game shifted a bit in Columbia's favor, but we did well to come away with the shutout and a tough win on the road.

The tournament will be held at the high seed with the semifinals on November 3 and the championship on November 5, with the winner securing the automatic bid into the NCAA Tournament.

Added McNeill on tonight's victory; "more importantly, we clinched a place in the Ivy Tournament, which was an important goal we set our sights on at the beginning of the season. I'm excited knowing we extended our season a bit longer and this group truly deserves it."

Raphino's goal gave the senior 95 career points, moving into sole possession of No. 2 in the program's storied history.

Five of the Bears' seven shots were on goal in the first half as Raphino's goal was the lone score of the first 45 minutes.

Columbia attempted four corners in the second, but Brown's defense stood tall as the Bears did not allow a goal for the sixth time in 2023.

Clare Gagne made three saves and improved to 7-1-2 overall.

NEXT UP
Brown concludes the road portion of the regular season next Saturday when it visits Cornell for a 1 p.m. kick.

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