COLUMBUS - Four different players found the back of the net for the No. 2 Columbus State University women's soccer team as the Cougars defeated Clayton State University 4-1 on Saturday in Peach Belt Conference action at the Walden Soccer Complex.

With the win, CSU (12-1-1, 6-0-0 PBC) bounced back from its first loss of the season on Tuesday to remain undefeated in PBC play.

"I thought this was a good performance by the team following a disappointing end to our road trip," added head coach Jay Entlich. "It's always nice to see different players get into the scoring column because it starts opening up space for our main threats. 

There are still plenty of things we need to sure up before we have another difficult match on the road on Wednesday at North Georgia."

It didn't take the Cougars long to grab control in the match as Emma Beddow scored her PBC leading ninth goal of the year in the 10th minute following a Clayton State turnover in its defensive end. 

Vanessa Aviles added on to the lead 10 minutes later when a deflected cross found her foot. The All-PBC performer calmly finished off the play for her second goal of the season.

The score remained 2-0 until a quarter of the way into the second half, despite dangerous scoring chances by Columbus State. Goalkeeper Valentina Bonaiuto kept Clayton State (3-6-1, 3-3-0) in the match as long as she could before Kelly Hendricks put the Cougars ahead 3-0 in the 68th minute. Hendricks took a pass from the far side of the field from Sydney Ormsby before sliding it by Bonaiuto for the goal.

Marie Devillers did put Clayton State on the board in the 75th minute on a free kick from just outside the box. 

In the 85th minute, it was CSU's turn to score off a set piece as Maddie DeFranco tapped home a perfectly played ball from Maria Kilset to cap off the scoring.

Columbus State outshot the Lakers 28-6 in the match and held a 10-1 corner kick advantage. 

Sara Halilhodzic (7-0-1) picked up the win in net for the Cougars, making one save in 45 minutes of action. 

UP NEXT
Columbus State will have a PBC showdown with the University of North Georgia on Wednesday, Oct. 20 at 5 p.m. in Dahlonega, Ga. at the UNG Soccer Complex. The Nighthawks are currently ranked 22nd in the nation but fell 1-0 on Saturday to Flagler College.

COUGAR NOTES
• With CSU's win and UNG's loss, the Cougars are now atop of the PBC standings all alone. Columbus State has a three-point advantage over UNG heading into Wednesday's matchup
• Thirteen different players have now scored a goal this season for Columbus State with Hendricks' score on Saturday
• Kilset picked up her ninth assist in the match to move into a 10th place tie in the CSU single-season record book for most assists. The senior has the second-most in the nation this season
• It was the sixth time this year that Columbus State has recorded 20 or more shots 
• Columbus State has received a yellow card in five straight matches. It's the longest stretch for CSU since the end of the 2016 season 
• The Cougars are 14-1-1 at home over the last 16 matches 
• Columbus State has won nine straight over Clayton State and now leads the all-time series 21-3-0