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Columbus - Thanks to strong defense and a little help from the opposition, the second-ranked Columbus State University women's soccer team remained unbeaten with a 1-0 defeat of Flagler on Wednesday afternoon. The Peach Belt Conference match was played at the Walden Soccer Complex.
The Lady Cougars have now recorded three straight shutouts and have not allowed a goal over the last 285 minutes of play.
"Flagler had some moments where they ran at us and made life difficult," said CSU head coach Jay Entlich. "In the end though, we can walk away with the victory and three points."
"In the Peach Belt, just getting a victory is outstanding."
Great chances came for Columbus State (11-0-1, 6-0-0) early in the match as Chelsea Person rung the Lady Cougars' first shot off the crossbar.
Less than two minutes later, Shelby Rolling launched a free kick just over the crossbar for the second near-miss.
Person and Taylor Marks each took turns firing at Flagler goalie Kaeta Choquette, but the keeper was up to the challenge.
The Columbus State attack continued pushing and drew its second corner kick of the match in the 32nd minute.
Marks played the corner short and received it back. The sophomore dribbled down the goalline from the left side sending a cross to the far post looking to connect with Ashley Miller. However, a Flagler defender slid in the way sending the ball into the back of the net for an own goal.
The Lady Cougars would make the own goal stand up for the rest of the match, but not without a couple close calls late.
In the 84th minute, Evy Jacobs took just the third shot of the match for the Saints, but the effort required a diving save from Maylyn Parsons to keep it out of the net.
On the ensuing corner, Gabbi Paiz got a head on the ball in the middle of the box and pushed a dangerous effort wide left.
Taylor Algor sent a shot high over the net in the 86th minute to keep the Saints on the attack.
The final effort for FC followed a defensive misplay by CSU that left Paiz with another good look at the net. This time, her shot was on target but hit off the crossbar keeping the shutout for the Lady Cougars in tact.
Columbus State outshot the Saints 17-6, but only 6-5 in the second half.
Maylyn Parsons saved the only three shots on goal from Flagler for her sixth shutout of the season.
Kaeta Choquette took the loss, saving seven shots and allowing the own goal.
Columbus State returns to the field on Saturday, October 18 for a conference showdown against No. 17 Clayton State. The two teams tied for the PBC regular season title in 2013. Kickoff is scheduled for 1:00 p.m.
