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Columbus - After a scoreless first half, the 17th-ranked Columbus State University women's soccer team scored three goals in a six-minute stretch to defeat a scrappy Young Harris College squad 3-2 Saturday afternoon. The Peach Belt Conference match took place at the Walden Soccer Complex in Columbus.
"This was a tough week for the girls playing three matches in five days but we have to get used to this because that is how postseason tournaments are won," said head coach Jay Entlich. "The girls played well today but we have to finish off scoring opportunities and keep improving on defense."
Despite taking 19 shots in the first half, Columbus State (7-3-0, 4-0-0 PBC) couldn't find the back of the net. Kelsey Pelletier had good looks at goal missing just high in the seventh minute while Taylor Erickson made a save on an attempt just a minute later.
The Lady Cougars continued the shooting clinic recording their 10th shot of the match in 19th minute on a Brittany McNair attempt. After a few more shots, Shea Wilby had a dangerous header in the 28th minute that Erickson had to save.
In the 31st minute, Jackie Hellett broke away but mishit the ball allowing for an easy save for Erickson.
Young Harris (3-6-0, 0-4-0) only had one real threat in the first half with Rachel Hill taking a shot in the fifth minute in which Meosha Hatcher had to save.
The second half was a different story as all five goals were scored in a 12-minute period. Freshman Taylor Marks got the scoring going in the 50th minute firing a shot from point blank range for a goal. The freshman has now scored in three straight matches.
Just six minutes later, Nicole Corcione dribbled the ball down the right side of the field into the box turned and fired a shot into the left side of the net to make it a 2-0 CSU lead. The goal was the fourth of the year for Corcione.
Not to be outdone, Chelsea Person tied Corcione for the team lead in goals with her fourth goal of the season not even a full minute later. Pelletier touched a pass just outside of the box to Person who corralled it and turned to fire a shot for the goal.
It was shaping out to be an easy victory for Columbus State until Candace Edwards broke away from the CSU defense on the ensuing kickoff and fired a shot about 25-yards out for a goal.
Columbus State still had a comfortable lead heading in the latter portion of the match but once again the Mountain Lions struck. In the 62nd minute, Edwards snuck a nice ball past the Lady Cougar backline to Whitney Thomas. Thomas was able to beat the charging Hatcher to inch YHC closer.
Looking for the equalizer, Edwards had another breakaway opportunity but Maylyn Parsons, subbing in for Hatcher, made the game-winning save.
Columbus State had a commanding 37-5 shot advantage and took a season high 15 corner kicks. CSU's 37 shots were the fifth-most ever by a Lady Cougar team.
Meosha Hatcher (7-1-0) picked up the victory playing the first 61:44 of the match while Maylyn Parsons played the reminding 28:16 including saving the only shot attempt she faced.
Junior Kelsey Pelletier had two assists in the match increasing her season total to three.
Taylor Erickson did all she could to keep Young Harris in the match making nine saves.
Columbus State will return to the pitch on Wednesday, October 9 taking on Georgia Southwestern University in Americus. The match will begin at 3:00 p.m.
