NEW YORK -- Heading into its Ivy League opener against Brown on Saturday, the Columbia men's soccer team knew it had its work cut out. The Bears have advanced to the NCAA Tournament in five of the last six years, and last season defeated Boston College and UConn on their way to the third round.

Also going against the Lions was a winless streak against Brown that dates back to 1992, and a scoreless streak of over five matches. But ultimately, it was the heart and determination of a team that has fought through adversity all season long, and a striker who has found his rhythm in crunch time.

Junior Will Stamatis sent home his third game-winning, overtime goal of the season with 8:46 remaining in the second overtime period to give Columbia a 2-1 win over the Bears at Columbia Soccer Stadium.

The play began with junior Quentin Grigsby sending a long cross into the box that found senior captain Mike Mazzullo. Mazzullo got a header off in traffic that appeared to be headed into the goal, and Stamatis made sure there would be no doubt as he flicked it over the goal line to send the Lions into hysteria.

After a scoreless first half, Columbia got on the scoreboard a little more than three minutes into the second. Senior Francois Anderson headed a shot off the left post, with the rebound caroming straight to sophomore Henning Sauerbier. Sauerbier finished from two yards out with his head, to give the Lions a 1-0 lead.

The advantage would be short-lived, however, as a free kick for Brown led to the equalizer less than nine minutes later. Sean Rosa of the Bears gathered the ball at the edge of the box and snuck a shot through traffic and into the left side of the goal to knot the contest at 1-1.

Each team had opportunities over the final 30 minutes of regulation but were denied by the opposing goalkeepers. Senior Alexander Aurrichio stopped a pair of shots by Rosa in the 77th and 81st minutes, while Stamatis had his shot in the 87th minute smothered by Sam Kernan-Schloss.

In the first overtime, neither team got much going offensively with Brown's Alex Markes accounting for the only shot -- an attempt that was blocked by a Columbia defender. The second overtime would prove fruitful for the Lions, who snapped a six-match winless streak in the process.

The Lions return to action on Saturday, Oct. 8 against Penn at Columbia Soccer Stadium. Kickoff is scheduled for 7 p.m.

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