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Stephen WilliamsEVANS, Ga. – A 10
th-minute strike got the scoring started and the sixth-ranked and top-seeded Columbus State University women's soccer team cruised to a 3-0 victory over fourth-seeded Georgia College on Friday. The Peach Belt Conference semifinal match was played at Blanchard Woods Park in Evans, Ga.
The Lady Cougars advance to Sunday's championship match where they will take on the winner of North Georgia and Armstrong State. Columbus State will be looking to repeat as conference tournament champions after defeating North Georgia 1-0 in 2014.
"We learned from Tuesday against Lander that we don't want to fall behind early," said PBC Coach of the Year
Jay Entlich. "We did a good job to get an early goal and I thought the girls gained confidence from it and played well."
Columbus State (17-2-1) came out of the gates flying on Friday getting off its first shot just 77 seconds into the match. After a pair of corner kicks, the Lady Cougars finally got on the board.
PBC Player of the Year
Nicole Corcione put a pass on the foot of All-Conference midfielder
Taylor Marks and the junior blasted the ball from the top of the box into the net for her seventh goal of the season. The assist was the conference-leading 13
th of the season for Corcione.
CSU took nine more shots over the next 35 minutes, but went into the locker room at halftime with just a 1-0 lead.
After the break, it took just 39 seconds for the Lady Cougars to double their advantage. PBC Freshman of the Year
Olivia Jarrell rifled a shot at the net that was saved by GC keeper Ashlee Graham.
Chelsea Person collected the rebound and the All-Conference forward put it home for her eighth tally of the year.
The assault at the net continued for the Columbus State offense leading to another goal in the 54
th minute. Person took yet another of CSU's PBC tournament record 16 corner kicks and connected with All-Conference midfielder
Shelby Rolling who scored her fifth of the year to make it 3-0.
Georgia College (10-8-2) attempted just two shots in each half, while the Lady Cougars registered 26 with 15 on target.
All-Conference goalkeeper
Maylyn Parsons played just over 80 minutes in net to earn the victory.
Paige Betsill closed out the match for the Lady Cougars.