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By: Josh Fuller

Greenwood, S.C. – The ninth-ranked Columbus State University women's soccer team jumped on Lander early scoring three first half goals and added a fourth in the second as the Lady Cougars defeated the Bearcats 4-0 Saturday. The Peach Belt Conference tilt took place at Van Taylor Stadium in Greenwood, S.C.
 
With the victory, the Lady Cougars (13-2-1, 8-0-1 PBC) extend their winning streak to 10 matches and their unbeaten streak to 12. The Lady Cougars also need just one win or tie to clinch the PBC regular season title.
 
Columbus State struck quick as Taylor Marks scored in just the eighth minute of action. Mandy Janowitz began the play dribbling the ball down the right side of the field before dishing it off to Marks. The junior controlled the pass before sending the shot into the back of the net for the goal.
 
The Lady Cougars continued to fire shots at the net following Marks' goal. Janowitz had two dangerous shots in the 11^th and the 14^th minutes while Shannon DeSantis had to make a save on an Olivia Jarrell header in the 21^st minute.
 
Following two more shots, CSU added its second goal in the 33^rd minute. Chelsea Person played a ball in from a corner to Andi Larese, who blasted a shot from 20-yards out for her first goal of the season.
 
Just 81 seconds later, the Lady Cougars had a 3-0 lead as Marks scored her second goal of the match. Marks dribbled the ball into the box before shooting it past DeSantis in net.
 
"I felt like the girls played a good match on the road against a very good Lander club," said Columbus State head coach Jay Entlich. "We did a great job of finishing in the first half, and it really does a lot for your confidence when you score three goals in the first half."
 
After the break, CSU continue to take shots on goal. Atalia Ramirez had two shots early on  including one that had to be turned away by DeSantis.
 
In the 54^th minute, Nicole Corcione capped off the match's scoring adding her 12^th goal of the season. The junior used her speed to get down the left side of the field before blasting a shot from 10 yards out. Corcione still leads the conference in goals, assists (10) and points (34).
 
Columbus State's defense came up big in the second half to complete its ninth shutout of the season. Maylyn Parsons made her first second half save in the 69^th minute before sending another away in the 77^th minute. Parsons improved to 12-2-1 on the season after making five saves in 79 minutes of action.
 
Paige Betsill played the final 11 minutes of the match and made two saves to clinch the clean sheet.
 
The Lady Cougars outshot Lander (7-6-0, 5-4-0) 16-10 during the match.
 
Columbus State will now return home to the Walden Soccer Complex for the final two matches of regular season. The Lady Cougars will host Montevallo on Wednesday, Oct. 28 at 6 p.m.