COLUMBUS – No. 4-ranked Columbus State University Women's Soccer welcomes No. 17 Catawba (N.C.) to the Walden Soccer Complex on Wednesday afternoon.
 
The Lady Cougars (7-0-1) return to play after setting a new program record in the 17-0 win over Albany State on Saturday while the Indians (6-0-3) visit Columbus after defeating Anderson (S.C.) in a 5-1 victory.
 
Wednesday's match will mark the second top 25 bout for CSU, with the first being at No. 11 Lenoir-Rhyne (N.C.) back on Sept. 25. Columbus State holds a 4-2-1 record against Catawba with the last meeting falling in favor of the Indians in a 6-5 result in Salisbury, N.C. back on Sept. 8, 2023.
 
Catawba has tallied 26 goals across nine games played, averaging 2.89 goals per contest. Offensively, Bree Ehmer and Kylie Morin lead the way as the top pair of point producers for the Indians. Ehmer has totaled 13 points this season scoring five goals and assisting three while Morin has found the back of the net a team-leading six times for 12 points.
 
Defensively, Columbus State will also need to look to limit Kelly Havens and Lillie Rusher as they both have eight points this season. Havens has scored four goals while Rusher has assisted four goals and scored two as well.
 
As for the Catawba defense, they have generated four shutouts and have allowed just seven goals. The Indians' backline has held steady, allowing a 35.7% (20-of-56) shot on goal percentage. In goal, Ashley Hughes has recorded the majority of minutes for a 6-0-2 record, tallying 13 saves in the process.
 
Columbus State has been an immense threat to opposing defenses, boasting one of the best attacks in NCAA Division II. The Lady Cougars lead as the top team in total goals (51), total assists (32), goals per game (6.38), shots per game (26.1), and shots on goal per game (15.1).
 
A total of 15 Lady Cougars have scored this season with six having scored four or more goals. The CSU attack has produced five student-athletes with double-digit points so far this season.
 
Michelle Medina and Ui Suzuki leads CSU in total goals with six scores and an assist each for 13 points. Emma Beddow continues to lead the team in total points with 15, scoring four goals and assisting seven. Beddow is currently tied for 5th place in Division II in total assists while Elle Henschel is tied for 8th with six assists.
 
The Columbus State defense continues to be difficult for opposing attacks to find the net, giving up just four goals across eight matches. CSU's backline has allowed just 7.1 shots per game and a total of 18 shots on goal.
 
Wednesday's clash is set for 1 p.m. ET at the Walden Soccer Complex. The match will be streamed on the PBC Sports Network and Live Stats will be available as well.
 
For tickets, CSU fans will have two options for purchase. Fans can either purchase tickets ahead of time online through HomeTown Ticketing prior to the match or bring exact cash at the gate on the day of the match. No credit or debit purchases will be allowed at the gate. Tickets can be purchased here: https://csucougars.com/tickets