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By:
Stephen Williams
COLUMBUS - In a rematch of last season's national championship, the fifth-ranked Columbus State University women's soccer team will take on second-ranked Grand Valley State in the national semifinals on Thursday. The match will kickoff at 6 p.m. Eastern at the Swope Soccer Park in Kansas City, Mo.
Last Time Out
Mandy Janowitz scored in the 103rd minute to send the Lady Cougars to the national semifinals with a 2-1 double overtime victory over 16th-ranked West Florida on November 20.
Nicole Corcione scored the first goal for CSU.
Entlich on the Matchup
"Obviously, Grand Valley State is an outstanding team. We can't focus on them though. We have to focus on the things we can control and go out and play our game."
Series History
Columbus State and Grand Valley State will meet for the fourth time on Thursday. CSU has never defeated the Lakers, as GVSU leads the series 2-0-1.
Last Meeting
The two programs met in the 2015 national championship match with the Lakers defeating the Lady Cougars 2-0 in Pensacola, Fla. CSU outshot Grand Valley State 12-10 for the match, including 8-2 in the first half, but could not find the net.
About Grand Valley State
Grand Valley State (22-1-1) is seeking its fourth consecutive national championship this weekend.
The Lakers have won 13 consecutive matches entering the national semifinals, including a 3-1 win over third-ranked Central Missouri in the quarterfinals.
Gabriella Mencotti leads the country in goals, putting home 29 of them this season.
Senior Marti Corby ranks first in Division II in assists at 24 and is the two-time National Player of the Year.
CSU Notes
Columbus State (21-2-0) is appearing in the national semifinals for the second straight season.
The Lady Cougars continue to lead the country in scoring, averaging 4.17 goals per match.
CSU's scoring output has continued in the postseason, as the Lady Cougars are tied for the top spot with nine goals scored in the NCAA Tournament.
Columbus State's offense is led by the four-headed attack of
Nicole Corcione,
Mandy Janowitz,
Olivia Jarrell and
Cassandra Wade. All four have at least 12 goals on the season.
