Like Columbus State Athletics on Facebook!
Tweet #GoCSU

By: Josh Fuller

COLUMBUS - The top two programs in the Peach Belt Conference can add another thrilling classic to their storied rivalry. The No. 19 Columbus State University women's soccer team had to overcome a 2-1 deficit to earn a 2-2 tie against their rivals Armstrong State. The match was both teams' conference opener and took place at the Walden Soccer Complex. 
 
"We know what to expect when we play these guys," said CSU head coach Jay Entlich. "Both teams played their hearts out for 110 minutes and the outcome could have gone either way.

"Obviously, we still have to work on getting the ball in the net, but we had two great goals today off set pieces and that is a positive sign going forward."

In a classic Armstrong-CSU match, each side played aggressively after a 10-minute feeling out period. 

In the 14th minute, Chelsea Person took the match's first dangerous shot, sending it just high.

However, just two minutes later, CSU (3-2-1, 0-0-1) earned its first corner kick of the match. Person lined up for the corner and played a great ball into the box that Nicole Corcione finished off with her head to make it 1-0 Lady Cougars.

Armstrong (2-2-1) quickly responded with attacks of their own. In the 21st minute, a McKenzie Anderson shot went high. A minute later, the Pirates took another dangerous shot as this time a CSU defender blocked a Taylor Valley kick.

The Pirates finally got the equalizer in the 29th minute on an amazing goal by Sarah Olin. Olin was able to dribble the ball into the box before letting go a perfect shot that found the upper right 90 portion of the goal to knot the match at one.

Each team had a few other chances to score in the latter portion of the half, but each goalkeeper turned away shots to keep it even going to the break.

It didn't take Armstrong long to go in front 2-1 after the intermission as the Pirates offense snuck a goal past CSU goalkeeper Maylan Parsons in the 47th minute. Valley was able to play a ball to Asa Thorsen at the top of the box, who skied the shot just under the crossbar and above Parsons' hands for the go-ahead goal.
 
From there, Columbus State pushed forward looking for their own equalizer. The Lady Cougars quickly started firing off shots including one by Taylor Marks that was blocked in the box and an Andi Larese shot that was saved by Morgan Luckie.
 
Columbus State continue pressing forward, and at times, only had three defenders on the back line. In the 76^th minute, the Lady Cougars earned a foul from about 35-yards out. Larese calmly kicked the ball into the box where Corcione came out of nowhere to head into the back of the goal to tie the contest at two and ultimately send it into extra time.
 
Both overtimes period were owned by the Lady Cougars as they outshot the Pirates 8-1. Corcione had another dangerous header in the 92^nd minute, but the attempt went just wide. Corcione also had a shot in the 98^th minute, but it went high.
 
In the second overtime period, Luckie saved the match for the Pirates. In the 106^th minute, the Lady Cougars earned another corner kick and Person placed it right in the box. Luckie came out and punched it to the top of the box where Taylor Marks controlled the ball on her left foot. Marks fired the shot, but Luckie dove out for the save.
 
Luckie made another save in the 109^th minute to ensure the tie.
 
Parsons (2-2-1) made two saves on the night for the Lady Cougars while Luckie (2-2-1) turned away six.
 
Columbus State will now have a few days off before hosting West Alabama on Tuesday, Sept. 22. Kickoff is at 6 p.m. at the Walden Soccer Complex.