Box Score COLUMBUS - Senior Melinda Bush scored her first goal of the season in the 15th minute of play to give the 12th ranked Columbus State women's soccer team an early 1-0 lead. Juniors Stephanie Lowery and Jackie Ellis also scored as CSU went on to defeat West Georgia 3-0 Sunday afternoon at the Walden Soccer Complex.
"It's nice to get out of the weekend 2-0 but we haven't played a full 90 minutes," said head coach Jay Entlich. "We are like trees, we'll continue to grow with every game. We'll get ready this week for the Peach Belt opener next weekend against UNC Pembroke."
Bush's goal came off a nice buildup that started with Lowery taking on a West Georgia defender up the right wing. The midfielder played the ball off to senior Stephanie Parrish in the box who slid it across the box to a streaking Bush who knocked it in for the early lead. A couple minutes later senior Jordan McKenzie sent a corner kick in which found Lowery for a shot, but was denied by West Georgia goalie Mary Laza. Neither team had any other good opportunities to score and the match went into the half 1-0.
CSU kept attacking in the second half finally cracking through for another goal. The Parrish and Lowery duo were at it again with Parrish assisting on Lowery's second goal of the season. Parrish beat the West Georgia defense crossing it over to Lowery who nailed it just inside the right near post at the 55:51 mark.
"It's nice to get off to a quick start," stated Parrish, who was a part of four of the six CSU goals scored this weekend. "We are happy to put a good showing in front of the home crowd and we are excited about what the season will bring if we continue to play together and get better each day."
"We are expecting big things from Parrish in her senior season," commented Entlich on Parrish's play over the weekend.
Freshman Amanda Ducey almost added to the lead in the 68th minute before being taken out in the box for a penalty kick. Unfortunately for CSU, Laza came up big for the Wolves stopping Ducey's penalty kick and the rebound attempt from Ducey as well. The final goal of the contest came in 78th minute off a set piece. Laurel McKenzie drove a ball from the midfield into the West Georgia box where Ellis volleyed the ball that hit the bottom part of the crossbar and continued into the goal.
The stout Columbus State defensive again limited the offensive attack of its opponents, allowing just give shots in the contest. Sophomore Mary Mancin picked up the win again moving to 2-0, registering one save in the first half. Freshman Willi Babillis played the second half denying both shots she faced. CSU outshot the Wolves 18-5 and held a 7-2 edge in corner kicks for the match.
"We were fantastic this weekend defensively," remarked Entlich. "To get through a weekend without allowing a goal, you can't ask for much more. We were all around superb on the team defense end, especially the backline."
The Lady Cougars return to the field on Friday, September 10 when it takes on UNC Pembroke in the Peach Belt Conference opener. Kickoff is scheduled for 7:30.
**Note** All-Tournament Team was selected by the head coaches of the participating schools
GK - Emily Rhoades - Newberry College
Def - Kansas Bayly - Columbus State University
Def - Catherine Lovin - Columbus State University
Def - Megan Douglas - Newberry College
Def - Cassie Smith - Newberry College
Def - Meg Sytsm - West Georgia
MF - Kate Walton - Columbus State University
MF - Marta Bertos - Tampa
MF - Sam Kay - Tampa
MF - Elyse Boileau - West Georgia
MF - Jessica Turner - West Georgia
F - Luana Miessa - Tampa
