With the end of the season fast approaching for men’s soccer, the team is under pressure to notch its first Ivy win in head coach Leo Chappel’s two seasons. The team will travel to Cornell on Saturday for its second-to-last contest of the season.

While the Light Blue had carried a three-match unbeaten streak into league play, that momentum has disappeared, as the team has won just once since beginning league play. The Lions have dropped all of their conference games so far, with Ivy opposition outscoring them 16-5 during that stretch. The team’s last three results have been particularly discouraging, as Columbia has lost to Yale, Adelphi, and Harvard by a combined count of 12-3.

But Columbia’s trip to Ithaca this weekend offers the best opportunity yet to notch a conference victory. The Big Red has also seen a promising 6-4 start to the season sputter in league play, and like the Lions, have yet to notch an Ivy victory. Cornell features quality players in key areas, however. The Big Red is experienced in goal, with two-year starter Luca Cerretani minding the net. Cornell’s offense is powered by midfielder Brian Kuritzky and forward Matt Bouraee; the duo is responsible for 13 of the Big Red’s 20 goals.

Players to watch for on Columbia’s side of the pitch include senior Tom Davison, who has claimed two scores in recent contests after a goalless start to the season. The team will be without freshmen Bayo Adafin and Hayden Johns, so it will be up to midfielder Tom Heinbockel and Davison to shoulder the offensive load. The Light Blue defense has struggled in league matches, and the backfield will have to stop the bleeding in order for the Lions to claim victory.

Action begins at 4 p.m. in Ithaca.