FAIRFIELD, Conn. - The Sacred Heart University men's soccer team defeated Columbia University, 2-1, on Campus Field Saturday afternoon.  Behind goald from freshmen Omer Levy (Yahud, Israel) and Gustav Granqvist (Goteborg, Sweden) the Pioneers move to 2-0-0 on the season.  It was the season opener for the Lions who begin 2010 0-1-0.

Columbia took a 1-0 lead just over 18 minutes into the game when junior Francois Anderson dribbled through the middle of the SHU defense and fired a shot into the lower right corner of the net.

The Pioneers responded three minutes later when Levy notched his first collegiate goal to tie the game at 1-1.  The goal was set up by sophomore Brian Francolini's (Ellington, Conn.) free kick that resulted in a shot by classmate Justin Brewer (Somers, Conn.), which was saved and deflected to Levy.

In the 32nd minute Lion sophomore forward Nick Ayers fired a shot to the right upper 90 that was met by a leaping Alex Fait (Ottawa, Ont.).  It was one of the junior goalkeeper's four saves and kept the score even going into the break.

Just 56 seconds into the second half the Pioneers scored off what would be their only corner kick of the afternoon.  Senior Mario Mililli (Shelton, Conn.) took the set piece and found a cutting Granqvist who headed the ball home to give Sacred Heart the lead.

For the game, Columbia outshot SHU 13-8 and held a 6-1 advantage in corner kicks.

The Pioneers take to the pitch again at home on Tuesday night at 7:00 pm when they play host to Siena.