A double major in women’s soccer and basketball

I’ve never written one of these before. I guess anyone can say that of a senior column, but for me, it’s different—I’m the only senior this year who wasn’t a columnist. So, in addition to writing my first and only senior column, I’m writing my first and only column.

Now that I have this platform, I’m going to write about the two Columbia teams that I have grown to love: women’s soccer and women’s basketball. Having covered these teams since my freshman year, I’ve been fortunate enough to attend several exciting games. And now, in the vein of a Matt Velazquez column ("Columnist picks top five CU games," March 3, 2010), I present to you a collection of those contests:

Women’s soccer vs. Harvard, Nov. 7, 2009
Columbia did not win this game, but the Lions came close to suffering a 1-0 loss in regulation until they earned a free kick with 15 seconds left. Meggie Ford fired the kick toward Lauren Cooke, who headed it into the net for her first career goal. Columbia lost when Harvard scored a second goal in overtime, but that final bit of the second half was an amazing, frenzied finish.

Women’s soccer at Yale, Nov. 1, 2008
Columbia came back to tie and then win on the road, earning a 2-1 victory that allowed the Lions to enter the following weekend—the final weekend of Ivy League play—in a three-way tie for first place in the conference. Sophie Reiser displayed her intense will to win, setting up the Lions’ first goal just 13 seconds after Yale took a 1-0 lead. And Rebecca Taylor made incredible, back-bending saves. Columbia won despite taking seven fewer shots and four fewer corners than the Bulldogs.

Women’s soccer vs. Princeton, Oct. 16, 2010
So the 2010 season did not turn out as well as it seemed like it would for Columbia after this contest, but this was still one hell of a game. After a back-and-forth, scoreless first half, the Lions came out in the second and simply dominated. Princeton hardly ever had possession, and Nora Dooley scored twice to lead Columbia to a 2-0 victory. The win vaulted the Lions into sole possession of first place in the Ivy standings, a position that Princeton had occupied entering the game.

Women’s basketball at Harvard, Feb. 14, 2009
Okay, so I wasn’t at this game. And I don’t think I wrote the recap. But this was Columbia’s only win over Harvard in my four years here, and not only that, but the Lions won on the Crimson’s court. Judie Lomax had 19 points and 15 rebounds, Lauren Dwyer had 11 points, and Katrina Cragg had 19 points (including five—five!—three-pointers). By the end of the night, Columbia had earned a 74-71 victory.

Women’s basketball vs. Cornell, Jan. 15, 2011
The phrase “a long time coming” sounds about right. After going 0-13 to start the 2010-11 season, Columbia achieved its first win with this 61-54 victory. Brianna Orlich showcased her explosive ability with a career-high 21 points. Kathleen Barry, meanwhile, had 14 points and 11 rebounds. For a team that had endured nothing but defeats, this victory was nothing but huge.

Women’s basketball vs. Brown, Mar. 6, 2010
Columbia had already clinched the best Ivy record in team history with a victory over Yale the night before, but this game allowed the Lions to end the 2009-10 season on an even higher note. The 54-41 win was Columbia’s 18th overall and ninth conference victory. Oh, and Judie Lomax followed her 21 points and 21 rebounds against Yale with 20 points and 27 boards in her last Columbia game.

So that, in a nutshell, has been my college career. I’m extremely proud to say that I spent most of my weekends at least one Columbia sporting event. The women’s soccer and women’s basketball teams are filled with talented, hardworking student-athletes and coaches, and it’s been an honor and a pleasure to watch them, talk to them, and, of course, write about them. I had no idea as a freshman that these two teams would factor so significantly into my college experience, but I wouldn’t have had it any other way.

Now, I have some people to thank:

JTay, you told me at my first Spec Sports meeting that I could have a byline that week, and since then, I’ve been part of the section. Thank you for getting me involved.

Coach McCarthy and Coach Nixon, thank you for so graciously teaching me about your respective teams. Your insights have been invaluable.

To the student-athletes whom I have interviewed, thank you for sharing your experiences with me.

Dan, Pete, and Darlene, thank you for all of your help.

Paul and Lynn, thank you for teaching me how to write sports stories.

Matt, Holly, and Lisa, thank you for being my mentors and friends.

To all of my editors, thank you for your hard work.

Laura, thank you for being an amazing, caring friend. I’m so glad I met you and have lived (and laughed) with you for the past two years.

Sara Pro, even though you’re all the way in Paris, I always think about you. Thank you for being such a good (and silly!) friend and suitemate.

Ashley, I’m so happy that we’ve become close friends this year. Thank you for being so kind and for being a great TV buddy.

Aviva, thank you for being a wonderful chef and suitemate.

Aileen, thank you for all of the laughs. It’s been great to live with you.

Hadas, thank you for being an awesome friend. I’ve missed taking classes with you.

Miriam, you will always be my next-door neighbor and one of my best friends. Thank you for all of the good times.

Elana, Becca, Rachel, and Maddie, I’m so lucky to have known you for so many years, and I know that we will remain close friends for years to come. Thank you for all of the fun we’ve had.

Sharon, thank you for being a wonderful big sister. I love you.

Mom and Pop, thank you for reading every article for the past four years and for supporting me for so much longer than that. I love you.

Spec Sports, it’s been fun. Joe Bova!

Sarah Sommer is a senior in Barnard College majoring in English.
sports@columbiaspectator.com