COLUMBUS, Ga. | The No. 12 Columbus State University Women's Soccer team captured the 2026 Peach Belt Conference regular-season championship Saturday afternoon, defeating Georgia College & State University 2-1 in front of 808 fans at the Walden Soccer Complex on Homecoming and Senior Day.
Following the match, Columbus State honored its eight seniors after closing out an unbeaten run through PBC regular-season play. The victory moves the Cougars to 11-2-2 overall and 7-0-2 within the conference, while Georgia College falls to 6-5-3 overall and 4-3 in the PBC.
Columbus State wasted little time taking control, finding the opening goal in the ninth minute. Ansley Caldwell and Kendal Coreil combined to set up Payton Conti, who found the back of the net at 8:23 for her fourth goal of the season and a 1-0 Cougar advantage.
CSU doubled its lead just over four minutes later. Elle Henschel provided the assist as Coreil scored at 12:51, giving the Cougars a 2-0 lead less than 13 minutes into the match.
Georgia College cut the deficit in half in the 28th minute when Madelyn Heckathorn scored at 27:41, sending Columbus State into halftime with a 2-1 advantage.
The Cougars continued to control the attacking pressure in the second half, outshooting the Bobcats 9-4 while earning seven corner kicks over the final 45 minutes.
Columbus State's defense kept Georgia College off the scoreboard the rest of the way. Huda Sayedzada made two saves as the Cougars protected the one-goal advantage through the final whistle to secure the conference championship.
CSU finished with a commanding 23-5 advantage in shots and a 9-3 edge in shots on goal. The Cougars also earned all 11 corner kicks in the match while holding Georgia College without one.
With the victory, Columbus State finishes its PBC regular-season schedule unbeaten at 7-0-2 and claims the 2026 Peach Belt Conference regular-season championship on a memorable Homecoming and Senior Day at the Walden Soccer Complex.
INSIDE THE BOX SCORE:
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Payton Conti: One goal, five shots, and two shots on goal.
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Kendal Coreil: One goal, one assist, two shots, and one shot on goal.
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Ansley Caldwell: One assist, one shot, and one shot on goal.
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Elle Henschel: One assist, two shots, and one shot on goal.
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Shania Wegesend: Two shots and two shots on goal.
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Huda Sayedzada: Two saves, one goal allowed, and 90 minutes played.
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Columbus State: 23 shots, nine shots on goal, and 11 corner kicks.
UP NEXT:
Your Cougars return to action Wednesday, Oct. 21, when Columbus State (No. 1 in the Southeast Region) hosts Catawba College (No. 2 in the Southeast Region) at the Walden Soccer Complex. Kickoff is scheduled for 1 p.m.
