Like Columbus State Athletics on Facebook!
Tweet #GoCSU

By: Stephen Williams

JEFFERSON CITY, Tenn. – For the second consecutive season, the third-ranked Columbus State University women's soccer team captured the Southeast Region championship with a 4-1 victory over top-seeded and 13^th-ranked Carson-Newman Friday. The match was played at McCown Field in Jefferson City, Tenn.
 
With the victory, the Lady Cougars advance to Sunday's national quarterfinal match against No. 4 Barry. Kickoff is scheduled for 1 p.m. also at McCown Field.
 
"I don't think either team played their best today, but we took care of our chances when we had them," said head coach Jay Entlich. "Carson-Newman is really well coached and now we have a quick turnaround against a good Barry team."
 
Carson Newman (19-3-0) made the first attempt at goal on the afternoon, nearing the net less than 90 seconds into the match. Nikki McWilliams put a shot toward goal, but Andi Larese kept the ball out of the net and the Eagles off the scoreboard.
 
The Columbus State (20-2-1) offense got rolling from there and broke through in the 14^th minute. Sophomore Cassandra Wade headed a ball at goal that deflected off a defender and crossed the goalline to give the Lady Cougars a 1-0 lead.
 
Columbus State nearly added to the lead on multiple occasions in the first half, but Nicole Corcione had a shot miss just high and another narrowly missed wide, while Chelsea Person hit the crossbar on an attempt from the right side.
 
In the second half, CSU controlled possession for the first 20 minutes, attempting only four shots.
 
The Eagles leveled the match in the 68^th minute after Varin Ness finished off a crossing pass from Elissa Lane.
 
The contest remained tied for less than five minutes though as Olivia Jarrell came alive. The freshman drove at the net and fired a shot knocked down by the keeper. The rebound found Corcione and the Peach Belt Conference Player of the Year pounded it home to give CSU a 2-1 edge with less than 20 minutes remaining.
 
Maylyn Parsons came up with a big save one minute later, after which the Lady Cougars began to add on.
 
In the 80^th minute, Jarrell was in the role of playmaker again. The PBC Freshman of the Year drove down the right side, fighting off multiple defenders, and was able to navigate the ball inside the far post.
 
The St. Augustine, Fla. native added another tally for good measure with under two minutes to play, dribbling in from the left side and scoring after the keeper moved off her line. Jarrell now has a team-best 16 goals on the season.
 
Parsons made nine saves in net for the Lady Cougars to earn her 19^th victory.
 
With four more goals on the day, Columbus State is up to 81 for the season, one back of second-most in the country.