Season Kickoff and Honors
The Columbia women's soccer team will begin the 2026 campaign with a road test against Hofstra on Thursday at 7 p.m., followed by a home opener on Sunday at 2 p.m. at the Rocco B. Commisso Soccer Stadium, where the squad will wear a special patch honoring the program's namesake.
After finishing 2025 with a 6‑7‑3 record and a 4‑2‑1 mark in Ivy League play, the Lions surged in September, going unbeaten and climbing to third place in the league standings. The turnaround earned them a postseason berth, sealed with a 2‑1 victory over Harvard in the regular‑season finale.
This season the team is led by three captains — Maia Beltran, Dema Elder and Samantha Weiss — who will guide a core that includes goalkeeper Samantha Mahoney and Ivy Award winners Evelyn Javers and Annie Faraone. Seven newcomers from five different states have also joined the roster, adding depth and versatility.
Upcoming Matchups and Outlook
The Lions are scheduled to face Villanova on Thursday, August 27, at 6 p.m. in New York City, a game that will test the new chemistry early in the schedule. Head coach Ian Stone, who returned 24 players and eight regular starters from St. John's, will look to translate the team's strong finish into continued success against conference rivals.
Preseason expectations placed Columbia fourth in the Ivy League poll, but the early results suggest the squad could exceed that projection. The team's dominance in shots (158‑142) and corner kicks (63‑57) last season, coupled with 18 goals and 18 assists, underscores a balanced attack that could carry them deep into the tournament.