Columbia Lions Secure 2-0 Victory Over Manhattan
RIVERDALE, N.Y. — Columbia didn’t just grind out another road result on Saturday afternoon. The Lions imposed themselves, then finished the job.
Second-half goals from Ethan Heyward and Stepan Kapranov delivered a 2–0 win over Manhattan at Gaelic Park, sealing back-to-back victories and shutouts for a Columbia side that suddenly looks very sure of itself.
The numbers tell part of the story. Columbia moves to 2-1-1 on the season and a dominant 11-1-3 all-time against the Jaspers. The more telling detail: this is the first time since 2018 that the Lions have strung together consecutive road wins.
Heyward Breaks the Deadlock
For 57 minutes, Manhattan’s early energy and Columbia’s composure cancelled each other out. The Jaspers pressed, Columbia absorbed, and the match drifted toward a stalemate.
Then a set piece snapped it open.
In the 58th minute, Jack McDaid whipped in a corner that found first-year defender Joshua Sosa lurking at the far post. Sosa rose and powered a header off the woodwork. The ball crashed down into the six-yard box, and Heyward reacted quickest, pouncing on the rebound and driving it home for 1–0.
It was Heyward’s third goal of the season, pulling him level with McDaid for the team lead. Right place, right time, and fully alert. Columbia finally had the breakthrough its patience deserved.
Kapranov Adds the Flair
Once in front, the Lions didn’t sit on the lead. They grew into the game, pushed higher, and began to dictate tempo.
The reward came in the 78th minute, and it was worth the wait.
Luke Zielinski took control in midfield and threaded a pass into Kapranov, who was posted up about 10 yards outside the box, shielding his defender. With one deft touch, Kapranov flicked the ball into the path of Fadel Kone. Kone returned it immediately, a sharp give-and-go that sliced through Manhattan’s back line.
Kapranov burst through, clean on goal, and buried his finish into the top-right corner. A cool strike, a two-goal cushion, and a move that sliced Manhattan open with one flowing sequence.
Taki Slams the Door
The platform for all of it came from the back.
Manhattan carried the threat in the first half, forcing Columbia goalkeeper Aris Taki into a busy spell. He denied Cristiano Marsilii twice in quick succession, turning away efforts in the 29th and 33rd minutes. When Giovanni Rivera stepped up with a strike in the 36th minute, Taki was there again, preserving the 0–0 scoreline heading into the break.
Once Columbia’s attack clicked into gear after halftime, the balance of play flipped. The Lions outshot Manhattan 10–3 over the final 45 minutes, with Oli Sacks and Jackson ten Oever both forcing second-half saves from substitute goalkeeper Philip Isaksson.
Taki finished with four saves, locking down his second career victory and his second straight shutout in as many starts. Two games, zero goals conceded, and a growing sense of authority between the posts.
Road Trip Reaches Its Test
Columbia now turns to the final leg of its three-game road swing, a Tuesday trip to face Temple (0-4-2) at the Temple Sports Complex in Philadelphia, with kickoff set for 4 p.m.
Two wins, two clean sheets, and momentum in hand. The question now is simple: can the Lions turn a promising September into a statement stretch away from home?
