COLUMBUS – With the campus buzzing from the Hall of Fame Inductions, Homecoming Tailgate, and Senior Day recognitions, the No. 2-ranked Columbus State women's soccer team added to the jam-packed slate of events on Saturday afternoon.
 
The Lady Cougars (13-0-1, 7-0-0 PBC) welcomed North Georgia to Columbus for the final regular season home match and provided some early afternoon fireworks in the process. CSU defeated the Night Hawks (9-3-1, 4-2-1 PBC) with late-game heroics to secure the program's 15th Peach Belt Conference Regular Season Championship in front of a packed-out Walden Soccer Complex.
 
First Half
 
The first half felt like a championship-level bout with both sides trading blows by swapping early shots on goal. Sage Smith's attempt in the 3rd minute was denied by the UNG keeper Sierra Fowler while Heidi Harris denied UNG's first shot on goal in the 5th minute, keeping the match 0-0.
 
North Georgia registered another shot on goal in the 25th minute, but Harris came up with another fantastic effort to deny the visitors. The Night Hawks put the Lady Cougars on their heels once more in the 28th minute, ripping a shot toward goal yet Harris thwarted the attempt.
 
Columbus State would go on to threaten UNG with another shot on goal in the 39th minute, coming from Elle Henschel. Fowler came up big in the moment and kept the draw alive, heading into the half.
 
Both teams registered six shots each with North Georgia holding a narrow 3-2 advantage in shots on goal in the first half. Columbus State controlled possession in the half and led 2-1 in corners, but UNG's game plan kept them from capitalizing on their chances.
 
Second Half
 
Emma Beddow nearly broke the draw in the first two and half minutes, blasting the woodwork. CSU continued to pressure UNG with hopes to take advantage of any possible mishaps from the defenders. Hungerford followed in the 49th minute with a prime opportunity to score but found the hands of Fowler.
 
Beddow registered another shot in the 54th minute which landed on frame but was denied by UNG. Columbus State would follow the next 27 minutes with just four shots, all missing the mark and leaving the Columbus State faithful desperate for one to land in the back of the net.
 
That moment would finally arrive for the Lady Cougars in the 81st minute as Faith Knoedler dribbled around and through defenders to find an open Abigail Akerson who slotted home the game-winner. Columbus State would peel back the attack and play keep-away for the final moments, securing the 1-0 win.
 
Inside the Numbers

• Columbus State led 14-9 in overall shots and 5-3 in shots on goal.
• UNG led 4-3 in saves with Harris moving her season tally to 23.
• Akerson netted her sixth goal of the season, moving to 13 points on the year.
• Knoedler recorded her third assist to shift to 11 points this season.
• Beddow led in overall shots with four and was one of five Lady Cougars who registered one shot on goal each.
• Columbus State led 9-3 in corner kicks.
• CSU is now 25-6-1 against UNG.
• The Lady Cougars secure the first PBC regular season title since 2022.
• CSU's defense has held opponents to under double-digit shots 10 times this season and has recorded nine shutouts. 

Next Up

• Columbus State has three remaining regular-season contests on tap, beginning with a road contest at Lander on Oct. 30th at 7 p.m. ET in Greenwood, S.C.