William and Mary’s streak of 10 matches without a loss, not to mention its season, came to an end Thursday night in the NCAA men’s soccer tournament.
Kynan Rocks’ follow of a missed header with 7:15 remaining in the second overtime gave Columbia a 2-1 win over the Tribe at Martin Family Stadium. The Lions, making their first tournament appearance since 1993, trailed through the second half until getting the equalizer in the 77th minute.
With the win, Columbia (12-2-3) moves on to a second-round match against No. 1 Wake Forest Sunday in Winston-Salem, N.C.
It was the second consecutive first-round exit for W&M (11-5-5), which lost in 2013 to George Mason on penalty kicks.
The game-winner came on a corner kick. The Lions’ John Denis sent it in, and Alex Bangerl tried to head it into the net. His shot hit the right post and bounced directly to Rocks in the middle of the 6-yard box.
W&M keeper Phil Breno had no chance. Rocks toed it in for the win.
William and Mary had seven shots on goal to Columbia’s three. But Lions keeper Dylan Castanheira made six saves, four coming in the second half.
The Lions’ defense, which allowed only six goals in 16 games coming in, was able to shut down W&M forward Antonio Bustamante. After scoring seven goals in the Tribe’s three-match sweep of the CAA tournament, Bustamante had only three shots, one on goal, Thursday night.
It was the first loss by William and Mary since Sept. 27 at James Madison.
W&M took a 1-0 lead in the 31st minute on Ryder Bell’s goal from about 30 yards. It was the first goal Columbia had allowed since Oct. 31 against Dartmouth.
The Tribe had opportunities to extend its lead but couldn’t convert. Then, on a corner kick in the 77th minute, Columbia’s Zach Morant tied it on a header.
The Lions nearly took the lead three minutes later, but Denis’ shot hit the post. W&M had a couple of chances but Castanheira saved both.