Box Score Montevallo, AL - No. 11 Columbus State women's soccer moved one step closer to earning its sixth straight Peach Belt Conference Regular Season Title with a 4-2 road victory over Montevallo. The win improves the Lady Cougars record to 15-1-1 overall and 8-1 in the PBC while Montevallo drops to 5-10-2 and 3-5-1 in conference.
The two sides alternated the first four goals of the match started by Stephanie Lowery giving CSU a 1-0 in the 14th minute of play. Jordan McKenzie served a free kick to Catherine Lovin who played a one-touch ball to Lowery. Lowery turned around and hit a dipping shot underneath the crossbar for the early lead. Montevallo answered back on a missed clear attempt by the backline that left Christine Prince with an open net in the box to notch the game at 1-1.
Columbus State had another solid build-up started by Lowery playing the ball in to Emily Husted. The sophomore slipped the ball by UM goalkeeper Alyssa Maxwell allowing K.C. MacEachern to put in her fifth goal of the season.
Asgerdur Palsdottir would send the game into the half tied after she hit a beautiful free kick into the left upper-ninety off the free kick. It was her fifth goal of the season. The game was just as equal on the scoresheet in the first half as both teams took five shots and neither had a corner kick.
Another solid second half performance propelled CSU to its third all-time victory over the Falcons. Leslie Mathews took on the UM defense up the left flank and was taken down in the penalty box. Lowery calmly stepped up and knocked in the penalty kick for a 3-2 Columbus State lead they wouldn't relinquish. The Lady Cougars nearly scored twice off of corner kicks but great reaction saves by Maxwell kept Montevallo within striking defense. Stephanie Parrish put the game on ice again with less than 15 minutes to play. Ashton Zaidie chipped a ball in the air which Parrish put away.
CSU outshot the Falcons 17-12 in the contest and held a 4-0 edge in corner kicks. Willi Babillis improved to 7-0-1 playing 81:29 of the match. She picked up five saves while Mary Mancin made two saves in 8:31 of playing time. Maxwell played the full contest for Montevallo denying five shot attempts.
Lowery is now tied for third on the Columbus State single-season goals scored list with 15. Parrish is not far behind her as her 12 goals places her in a tie for seventh. Parrish also moved up to sixth on the single-season list with 30 points. Lowery moved up the career record book as well, standing in a ninth in points (43) and tied for sixth in goals (17).
Columbus State closes out the regular season Saturday afternoon when they host Flagler. A win by the Lady Cougars will allow them to clinch the PBC regular season title along with Armstrong Atlantic. The game is also Senior Day for eight young ladies and is also Faculty Appreciation Day. Kickoff is scheduled for 1:00 p.m.
