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The Official Athletics Site of the Columbus State Cougars

Vanessa Aviles making a pass
0
Francis Marion FMU (12-3-4, 8-1-3)
3
Winner Columbus St. CSU (20-0-1, 9-0-0)
Francis Marion FMU
(12-3-4, 8-1-3)
0
Final
3
Columbus St. CSU
(20-0-1, 9-0-0)
Winner
Score By Periods
Team 1 2 F
Francis Marion FMU 0 0 0
Columbus St. CSU 2 1 3

Game Recap: Women's Soccer | | Clayton Barefield

Top-Seeded Lady Cougars Take Down Eighth-Seeded Francis Marion to Advance to Southeast Regional Second Round on Sunday

CSU hosts Catawba on Sunday at 3 p.m. ET with a chance to host the Southeast Regional Championship

COLUMBUS – The Walden Soccer Complex played host to the NCAA Division II Women's Soccer Southeast Regional First Round matches on Saturday with top-seeded and second-ranked Columbus State University welcoming eighth-seeded Francis Marion (S.C.).
 
The Lady Cougars (20-0-1) defeated the Patriots (12-3-4) in a 3-0 victory, as CSU made the program's fourth-consecutive appearance and 17th overall.
 
First Half
 
Offensive production was scarce for the first five minutes of play as both sides were settling into the contest. The Lady Cougars eventually found an opportunity with a penalty kick in the sixth minute as a defender took down a CSU player in the box. Vanessa Aviles went to the spot, and per usual, was calm as ever when finding the back of the net for her 10th score of the season.
 
Columbus State took advantage of a counterattack on the Patriots in the 21st as Michelle Medina raced down the pitch pacing the defenders and whipping in a ball to find the foot of Abigail Akerson who tapped in the goal to take a 2-0 lead. FMU registered a shot on goal of their own in the 22nd minute, but Heidi Harris stood firm between the posts.
 
The Lady Cougars would close the half with two more shots on goal coming from Sophia Leal and Elle Henschel, but the FMU keeper Erin Grabeel thwarted the chances. CSU closed out the half with a 10-2 shot advantage and a 4-1 edge in shots on goal.
 
Second Half
 
In similar fashion to the first 45, both teams struggled with offensive production in the second half. CSU notched just three shots in the first 16 minutes, all of which missed the mark.
 
Both sides continued to clash in a defensive battle with little to no excitement happening in the final third for either side. FMU registered one shot in the 73rd minute which was blocked followed by Mia Robinson's missed effort in the 74th minute.
 
Columbus State would break the second half scoring drought with a score from Faith Knoedler which was connected on a pass from Lauren Barnes in the 76th minute. With a 3-0 lead and just 14 minutes to play, it was basically a done deal for CSU. The Patriots closed with a shot in the 81st minute which was all that really happened offensive in the dying minutes of the match. Columbus State was able to make some changes in the lineup to provide fresh legs and support, holding to the three-goal advantage to move to Sunday's second round match.
 
Inside the Numbers
  • Columbus State secured a 15-4 lead in shots and a 5-1 edge in shots on goal.
  • Aviles' goal was her 10th of the season and fifth game winner.
  • Aviles has gone a perfect 6-for-6 from the penalty spot this season.
  • Akerson gathered her ninth score of the season and moves to 20 points on the year.
  • Both Aviles and Akerson led with three shots on the afternoon.
  • CSU now has six players with 20-plus points this season.
  • Knoedler is now one of seven players with seven or more goals this season.
  • Barnes now has three assists on the season and Medina moves to two assists.
  • Harris recorded just one save to move to 38 on the season.
  • CSU led 8-2 in corners.
  • Columbus State is now 6-1 versus Francis Marion.
Next Up
  • Columbus State takes on fourth-seeded Catawba (N.C.) on Sunday at 3 p.m. ET in the Southeast Regional Second Round match at the Walden Soccer Complex.
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