Early aggressiveness gave way to a balanced, if unlikely, attack by the Columbia women’s soccer team (5-2-1, 1-0-0 Ivy) in its 3-1 victory over Cornell (1-5-1, 0-1-0 Ivy) on Friday. The Lions dominated the ball from the start of play and maintained control throughout both periods to begin Ancient Eight competition on a positive note. While the offense created numerous scoring opportunities for itself during the first half, its first goal came from an unexpected source.

After she entered the game in the 28th minute, freshman midfielder Liz Wicks immediately became a part of the action. She turned a rebound into Columbia’s first goal less than a minute after setting foot on the field. The goal was her third tally of the year.

“I have to say, it didn’t surprise me,” head coach Kevin McCarthy said. “Liz ... has been out with an injury and has been absolutely nagging me to death to get back in, and I’ve literally had to hold her back and practically have to shackle her, so I’m not surprised at all that she found that touch.”

The Lions built on their 1-0 advantage soon after the second half began. Freshman forward Ashlin Yahr found freshman forward Marissa Schultz, who got the ball to junior midfielder Sophie Reiser right in front of the goal. Reiser’s excellent field position allowed her to easily score her fifth goal of the season and give Columbia a more comfortable lead.

“We had some chances that we didn’t necessarily capitalize, but ... we’re just seeing the goals we need to see,” she said.

On the other half of the field, the Lions prevented the Big Red from developing a strong attack. However, their shutout bid was thwarted in the 81st minute, when freshman forward Brook Chang found the back of the net for Cornell. The tally cut Columbia’s lead to 2-1.

With just under six minutes remaining in the match, junior midfielder Ashley Mistele went down after heading a ball. She laid on the ground while play was suspended and a trainer checked on her. It seemed obvious that she would leave the game, but McCarthy kept her in. His decision paid off in the 86th minute, when Mistele scored her first goal of the season. Not only did she find the back of the net after sustaining a minor head injury, but the tally resulted from a free kick that looked more like a corner kick.

Columbia scored in unusual, but impressive ways to leave its home field with a victory. The Lions have now won their past three games and are tied with Princeton and Penn for first place in the league standings.

“We’re at number one, and we’re staying there for the rest of the season,” Reiser said.

The Lions return to nonconference play on Monday as they travel to nearby Riverdale, N.Y. to face Manhattan (3-3-1, 0-0-0 MAAC). The Jaspers have not won a game since Sept. 12 and most recently played Wagner to a 1-1 draw. However, three players—junior midfielder Courtney McMahon, senior midfielder Brittany Duhamel, and senior forward Christine Reina—have each scored two goals for Manhattan this year.

Game time is set for 7 p.m.