Had either of those two chances been converted, Harvard might have been able to claim victory in regulation. But as the game progressed and the Lions found themselves still in the game, their confidence only improved and so, too, did their level of play.

In the overtime session, Columbia required just under four minutes to notch the winning strike, as Papalia dribbled down the right side, beat a Harvard defender, and fired a shot inside the far post from along the end line.

"I thought there was no chance she was going to score on that play," Costello said. "She was coming from a 180-degree angle [to the goal line]."

Defensively, the Lions did an admirable job frustrating the Crimson's offensive efforts. On separate occasions, both Fisher and sophomore forward Joey Yenne dribbled past a first and second Columbia defender, only to be stopped by another Lions back waiting in the wings.

Despite entering the game having allowed more goals than any other league team, Columbia was able to outlast 22 Harvard shots, including 10 in the second half. Blessed by some help from the goalposts, Ierardi sparkled in net, making eight saves. The Lions keeper was especially effective in the latter stages of the match, as her five second-half stops paved the way for the Lions to win in overtime.

In many ways, Saturday's game was Columbia's finest all-around effort of the season, a fact which very noticeably surprised Harvard.

"Honestly, we were not expecting a lot from Columbia," Costello said. "We didn't expect them to come out as strong as they did."