Box Score Aiken, SC - The second-ranked Columbus State women's soccer team picked up a 4-0 road victory over Peach Belt Conference foe USC Aiken Saturday evening. The win was the program's 100th victory since its inception in 2004. CSU improves to 7-0 on the year and 3-0 in the conference while the Pacers drop to 2-5 overall and 0-2 in the PBC.
"This was a big win for our team and our program," said head coach Jay Entlich. "It's a big win for the team because it's a road contest in conference and USC Aiken is a well coached team. Whenever you get a positive result on the road, you are happy. The game is especially meaningful because it was the 100th win for the program. I am very proud of this team and all the previous teams here at Columbus State that have worked so hard for this to happen in a short time."
Columbus State scored a pair of goals two and a half minutes apart in the first half to seize control of the game. A scrum in the box packed the USC Aiken defense as the ball found its way out to Kate Walton who hit a blast from 18-yards out. The shot was parried by Pacer goalkeeper Nicole Westphal which found the foot of K.C. MacEachern for the game's first goal at the 15:48 mark. It was MacEachern's third goal of the season. The second goal came after Jordan McKenzie served a ball in the box that Walton knocked home for her first goal of the year.
Later in the first half, the Lady Cougars worked the ball down the flank into the USC Aiken defensive third. The ball was crossed into the box before a flurry of shots followed. Kelsey Bass took the initial shot before Ashley Miller took a pair of shots, the second finding the back of the net. It was Miller's first collegiate goal, giving the visitors a 3-0 lead.
Stephanie Lowery scored her team leading eighth goal of the season off a penalty kick at the 47:08 mark to close out the scoring in the contest. The PK was set-up by an offensive attack the started up the sideline again and was served into the box. Stephanie Parrish went up in the air for a header but was pushed in the back, setting up the Lowery PK shot.
For the contest, CSU outshot USC Aiken 30-12 including a 15-5 edge in shots on goal. Mary Mancin started between the pipes for Columbus State picking up her sixth win of the season. Willi Babillis preserved the shutout making five saves in the second half. Westphal played the first half for the Pacers making six saves. Alli Edens had four saves in the second half for USC Aiken.
Columbus State returns to the pitch Friday, October 1 when it hosts No. 15 Florida Southern in the PBC vs. SSC Invitational. Kickoff is set for 7:00 p.m. at the Walden Soccer Complex.
