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Columbus - Junior Kelsey Pelletier scored a goal in the sixth minute and the Columbus State University women's soccer team never looked back as the Lady Cougars defeated the University of North Alabama 1-0 Sunday afternoon in the finale of the CSU Collegiate Invitational. The match took place at the Walden Soccer Complex.
"It was great getting that goal on the board early", said head coach Jay Entlich. "Once again, we missed opportunities but we are improving each and every day."
In the sixth minute, Shelby Rolling stole the ball from an UNA attacker and dribbled before sending a long pass down the right side of the field to Pelletier. Pelletier sliced past two defenders into the box and sent the ball to the upper left portion of the net for the goal.
From that point on, it was a barrage on the North Alabama goal by the Lady Cougars but CSU was unable to add to the lead.
Nicole Corcione just missed out on her first collegiate goal in the 22nd minute as she knocked a ball off the post after receiving a pass from Pelletier.
Chelsea Person nearly made it 2-0 in the 32nd minute shooting the ball from the left side of the box. The ball got past goalkeeper Rachel Beninati but forward Stacey Webber was there to save the goal for the Lions.
Coming out of the break, Columbus State (2-2-0) continued to fire shots taking three within the first five minutes of the second half.
North Alabama's best chance of the match came in the 53rd minute as Alyssa Bova streaked through defenders and took a shot but it was denied by Meosha Hatcher.
Similar to Person in the first half, freshman Taylor Marks took two dangerous shots in the 57th minute. Marks' first shot was saved by Beninati but the rebound bounced back to her where she then fired another attempt but it was cleared by a UNA defender.
Corcione hit the crossbar again in the 58th minute while Rolling also scraped the bar on a free kick a minute later.
The Lady Cougars finished the match with 26 shots matching Friday's total versus Tusculum College, including 11 on goal.
Meosha Hatcher improved to 2-0-0 notching her second consecutive shutout while making three saves. Rachel Beninati fell to 2-3-0 making eight saves for the Lions.
Kelsey Pelletier and Shelby Rolling picked up their first goal and assist of the season, respectively.
Columbus State will once again gear up for a top-five opponent as long time Peach Belt Conference rival Armstrong Atlantic State University visits Columbus on Friday, September 20. The match will begin at 6:30 p.m. at the Walden Soccer Complex.
