NEW YORK – Columbia women's soccer seniors Madi Pilla, Kat Jordan, Kendall McBride and Nata Ramirez celebrated senior day at Rocco B. Commisso Soccer Stadium on Saturday afternoon by each chipping in a goal to lead the Lions to a dominating 4-0 win over Yale.

  "There is so much emotion wrapped up in the senior game and they are thinking about the last time they are going to be here," Bartholomew said. "I thought they managed their emotions well. At the same time, they still were a little nervous and had to settle into the game. You have four seniors scoring. Those are the people that need to rise up. It's just awesome to be able to have an opportunity to win the game and score that many goals."

  Columbia improves to 8-3-3 overall this season and 2-2-2 in Ivy League action with the win. The Lions are now tied for fourth place in the Ivy League standings with Dartmouth as the Big Green fell to Princeton, 2-0 today. Columbia will hit the road for the final regular season contest next Saturday at Princeton with a chance to clinch a spot in the first-ever Ivy League Tournament.

  "Our goal has been to make the Ivy League Tournament and we knew we needed to get this win against Yale," Columbia Head Coach Tracey Bartholomew said. "I thought the team was focused all week. Now we have to turn around and recover. We are going to celebrate our seniors today and then it is all focused on Princeton and getting points. We have to go and get a win on the road. I know the girls are going to be focused and ready to do that. I think this just re-energized them, knowing that we can score goals and do things we are capable of."

  Forward Madi Pilla got the scoring started with a goal in the 36^th minute. McBride kicked the ball out to Pilla and Pilla took it to the net and fired it through the right side to put the Lions on top.

  Midfielder Kat Jordan added to the Columbia lead in the second half as Pilla passed it off to Jordan, who shot from the side and curved the ball into the right side of the net. The goal in the 60^th minute marked Jordan's sixth of the season as she continues to lead the Lions in scoring.

  McBride added a goal of her own about 20 minutes later in the game in the 79^th minute on a rebound opportunity. Ramirez took a shot on the goal that was saved by Yale's Marissa Shorrock. McBride found the ball on the rebound and took an easy shot to score the Lions' third goal of the afternoon.

  Ramirez would make up for her missed opportunity just minutes later as she scored her third goal of the season in the 81^st minute on an assist by Grace Hurren to finish off Columbia's 4-0 shutout win.

  Senior goalkeeper Paige Nurkin played all 90 minutes in the net as she pitched her sixth shutout of the season. Nurkin tallied three saves in the win.

  UP NEXT
Columbia heads to Princeton next Saturday, October 28 for one last regular season test. The Lions will be playing for a spot in the Ivy League Tournament as Columbia is currently tied for fourth place in the league standings with Dartmouth. First kick at Princeton is set for 4 p.m.

  FOLLOWING THE LIONS
For the latest on the Columbia women's soccer program, follow @CULionsWSOC on Twitter,  Instagram, Facebook at Facebook.com/ColumbiaWSoccer and on the web at GoColumbiaLions.com.