COLUMBUS – While it was an early afternoon contest, fireworks sure were evident at the Walden Soccer Complex as the No. 23-ranked Columbus State women's soccer team defeated Carson-Newman (Tenn.) in a convincing 6-0 victory to open the 2024 campaign.
 
The Cougars (1-0-0) produced six different goal scorers, lifting CSU to the program's eighth win all-time and third straight victory over the Eagles.
 
First Half

Sarah Hungerford broke through for the first goal in the seventh minute as Emma Beddow assisted the effort for an early one-goal advantage. Hungerford's goal was the lone shot that found the back of the net in the first half, despite the Cougars' five shots on frame. Columbus State controlled possession of the ball in the first half with 10 total shots but struggled to polish off the chances for more goals.
 
Second Half
 
In the second half, finding the back of the net would not be a problem as the Cougars would go on to net five more scores with two being in the first 10 minutes of play. Emma Beddow netted the second goal of the game in the 48th minute, scoring with a rocket of a ball about 25 yards away off an assist from Vanessa Aviles. Aviles followed up with a goal for herself at the 53:17 mark with the help of Beddow's second assist of the match, marking a 3-0 advantage for CSU.
 
The final 20 minutes saw three more goals fall for the Cougars, all of which coming from freshmen. Mia Robinson took an opportunity from outside of the box, hitting inside the frame and bagging her first career goal in the home whites with a fantastic freekick effort in the 71st minute.
 
At the 79:57 mark, Elle Henschel gave herself an opportunity for a career highlight as well and was able to capitalize on an unfortunate mistake from the Eagles, stealing the ball from a misplaced pass and slotting home the fifth goal of the match. To top the game off, Ui Suzuki converted a chance from the penalty spot, scoring her first career goal in the 82nd minute to give CSU a six-goal advantage with just a few minutes to play. The Cougars wrapped up the second half with 14 shots overall and 10 on goal.
 
"We made adjustments at the break, and it was great to see our girls respond in the second half," Head Coach Jay Entlich said. "I am proud of the fact we had six different goal scorers today. We're also very thankful for the great support we had for a 2 p.m. game, it was amazing!"
 
Inside the Numbers

• The Cougars dominated on the attack, out-shooting the Eagles 24-3 with 15 shots on goal
• Beddow led the way with a goal and two assists, producing two shots on goal
• Aviles was a heavy threat for the Eagles, recording six shots and four on frame for one goal and an assist
• Hungerford totaled three shots with a pair on goal
• Henschel, Robinson, and Suzuki all scored career firsts, all three goals came from unassisted efforts
• Carson-Newman totaled nine saves as a team
• Columbus State tallied 10 corners
• CSU moves to 8-4-0 all-time over the Eagles and have won three-straight
• Thursday's win marks the second time CSU has defeated Carson-Newman 6-0

Next Up

• Columbus State will host Florida Southern on Saturday, Sept. 7 for an early game, kicking off at 11 a.m. ET from the Walden Soccer Complex.