COLUMBUS - Senior Maddy Peterson scored two goals and picked up an assist as the Columbus State University women's soccer team began the 2020-21 season with a 4-0 shutout victory over Young Harris College. The Peach Belt Conference match took place at the Walden Soccer Complex.

The Lady Cougars scored early and often on Sunday with freshman Anna Grady not taking long to make an impact. In the third minute, she took a cross inside the box from Peterson and delivered, putting CSU ahead 1-0.

Later in the half, it was a trio of seniors who extended the lead. Parker Morgan sent a ball down the near sideline for Kimmy May, who dribbled into the attacking area before finding Peterson on the far side of the box. The senior drilled a shot and didn't give YHC goalkeeper Pien Van Kampen a chance for a save to make it 2-0 in the 24th minute.

Just a few moments later, it was May and Peterson again who looked to do damage. Like earlier, May set up Peterson inside the box as the forward slammed home her second goal of the afternoon.

After taking a 3-0 lead into halftime, Columbus State (1-0-0, 1-0-0 PBC) added on in the 60th minute thanks to a solo effort by Morgan. The senior dribbled down into YHC territory before rocketing a shot from about 20-yards out that went right by the outstretched Van Kampen. 

The Lady Cougars had a few more good looks at the net during the second half, including one off the foot of freshman Lizz Forshaw that hit off the crossbar. 

CSU outshot Young Harris (1-1-0, 1-1-0) 16-2 while holding a 15-4 advantage in corner kicks. 

Bria Riancho played all 90 minutes in net and made one save. 

Columbus State will now prepare for an exhibition match with the University of Alabama on Friday, Feb. 19. The match is set to begin at 3 p.m. in Tuscaloosa, Ala. 

Match Notes

• With her two assists, May becomes the 10th player in CSU history to surpass the 20 career assist mark. She is seventh all-time with 22. 
• It was the third multi-goal game in Peterson's career. She also scored a pair of goals during the 2019 season-opener against Embry-Riddle. 
• The shutout was the 19th in Riancho's career, the third most in CSU history. 
• Columbus State has won nine straight regular season matches dating back to last year.
• Twenty-five players saw action for Columbus State on Sunday.
• Forshaw led all players with three shots, all coming in the second half.
• Columbus State improves to 9-0-0 all-time against Young Harris after its second straight 4-0 result against the Mountain Lions.
• CSU hasn't allowed YHC to score in any of the past three meetings. In those matches, the Lady Cougars have outscored the Mountain Lions 11-0.