Columbia Girls’ Soccer Wins Back-to-Back Section 2 Championships

Oct 31, 2023 | Athletics, Columbia, District

2023 Columbia Girls Varsity Soccer Section 2 Championship

The Columbia Girls’ Varsity Soccer team won the Section 2 AA Championship against Niskayuna on Monday evening, its second consecutive league title.

The Columbia Girls’ Soccer team defeated Niskayuna 1-0 on Monday evening in the Section II Class AA Final at Shaker High School to win its second consecutive sectional championship. Senior Anna Shepard scored the golden goal in overtime, launching a shot over the outstretched goalkeeper.

When Shepard’s shot hit the back of the net, the celebration began. She turned and sprinted down the field and hugged Columbia goalkeeper Anna Nassivera as the entire team joined in.

“I kind of blacked out, honestly,” Shepard told the media after the game. “The ball popped out to me, and I took a touch, a volley in the air, and just kind of hoped for the best and hit it and it went top corner.”

Nassivera recorded the clean sheet.

Columbia improved its record this season to 17-0-2. They advance to the New York State Public High School Athletic Association Regional on Saturday, November 4 when they will face West Genesee at 6:00 p.m. at Nottingham High School in Syracuse, N.Y.

“We talked at the beginning of this year about going undefeated, winning league, winning another sectional title, we’ve gotten both of those and now it’s on to the regional final next week,” Columbia head coach Scott LaMora told the media after the game.

Congratulations!