In the 18th minute, Lions freshman midfielder Tommy McMenemy fouled Mangrum just outside Columbia's penalty box. On the resulting free kick, Harvard freshman middle Andrew Nechtem nailed a header just wide left of the goal.

Later, in the 39th minute, Mangrum quickly brought the ball up the right side and crossed it into a crowd of players right in front of the Columbia goal. Yet, freshman forward Spencer George's shot was deflected. Several moments later, Mangrum had one of his own denied.

"It was the story of our season," Coach John Kerr said. "We dominated possession but didn't finish our scoring chances."

The Crimson backfield kept the game even at 0-0 going into halftime. The first half, however, wasn't nearly as uneventful as the score indicated; it was characterized by tough and physical play and marred with fouls.

In the 15th minute, Columbia defender Emeka Ofoldile nailed Kelly to receive a yellow card. The 38th minute was even more brutal. Sophomore back Joe Steffa suffered contact in his eye, while several moments later Lobach got elbowed hard in the stomach.

As the second half began, both teams came out charging, each getting several solid shots on goal. Harvard nearly broke open the scoring about 10 minutes into the half before getting stopped by an apparent non-call.

Kelly had the ball in the Columbia box, on the verge of scoring, when he was fouled hard with a kick to the ankle. Yet the whistle never blew as Kelly was carried off the field.