GAINESVILLE, Fla. -- Kai Golden (Fr., Hawaii, Hawaii) scored four times, including a hat-trick in the second half, to lead Columbia University to an 8-7 victory over Virginia Polytechnic Institute & State University (Virginia Tech) in the 11th place and final game at the 2009 Men's National Collegiate Club Championship at the Unviersity of Florida.

The victory continues a steady upward climb by the Lions in the Collegiate Water Polo Association as Columbia previously placed 15th (2006) and 13th (2008) in their two previous appearances at the National Collegiate Club Championship since 2006.

Led by head coach Igor Samardzjia, the Lions only trailed once in the game falling behind 4-3 with 1:08 left in the first half before tying the game and taking command of the contest in the second half.

Will Reid (Gr., Greenwich, Conn.) opened the game with back-to-back markers at 4:52 and 4:16 in the first period on a shot from two-meters and a bar-in as the Lions appeared to be in the midst of a run-away victory.

However, the Hokies hit back with a successful five-meter penalty shot by Joe Dorsch (Sr., Souderton, Pa.) and a natural tally by Brian Schmitt (Jr., Falls Church, Va.)  at 3:52 and 2:25 of the period to tie the game up at 2-2.

Columbia regained the lead before the end of the inaugural period as Sam Elchert (Jr,, Los Gatos. Calif.) rocketed a shot on a man-up chance with 1:58 showing on the game clock to put the Lions ahead 3-2 following seven minutes of play.

The lead was short-lived as Braxton Vinson (Jr., Arlington, Va.)  popped a shot off the left post and into the cage to tie the game with 3:55 left in the second period.  Peter Biskaduros (Sr., Fairfax, Va.) then rewarded his team with its first and only lead of the day on a man-advantage as Virginia Tech went ahead 4-3 at the 1:08 mark.

However, Golden began to warm-up as he broke to two-meters and corkscrewed a shot past Hokies' netminder Peter Ollis (So., Bethesda, Md.) to even the scoreboard at 4-4 with 38 ticks showing on the clock.

Columbia regained the lead 48 seconds into the third period on another goal by Golden, but Virginia Tech came back with a tally by Biskaduros to retie the game at he 2:01 mark.

Needing a break to gain control of the game, Golden was his name scoring on a man-up chance with 48 seconds left in the period before a counter-goal by Daniel Kirel (So., Miami, Fla.) gave the Lions a 7-5 lead with seven seconds remaining in the period.

The lead expanded to 8-5 with 6:51 left in the fourth period as Golden added another man-up score, but the Hokies would not roll over as Parker Fields (Jr., Willamsburg, Va.) and Biskaduros connected at 4:59 and 2:28 for goals to move Virginia Tech within one at 8-7.

For Columbia, the single score would hold up thanks to strong defense and luck as the Hokies missed two shots in the final two minutes of play.

In cage, Xande Wright (Sr., Rio De Janeiro, Brazil) did all the right things to preserve the Lions' victory making five saves, including three in the fourth period, to earn the win.  Ollis took the loss for the Hokies allowing eight goals with five saves.

VT Goals: Peter Biskaduros (3); Joe Dorsch; Brian Schmitt; Braxton Vinso; Parker Fields

Columbia Goals: Kai Golden (4); Will Reid (2); Daniel Kirel; Sam Elchert

Saves: VT - Peter Ollis (5) ; Columbia  - Xande Wright (5)

Exclusions: VT - 8 ; Columbia - 2

Advantage Opportunities: VT - 2-for-2 ; Columbia - 3-for-8 

Sprints: VT - 4-for-4 ; Columbia - 0-for-4