COLUMBUS, Ga. | The No. 6 Columbus State University Women's Soccer team earned a statement victory Wednesday afternoon, shutting out No. 12 Catawba College 2-0 in a matchup between the top two teams in the Southeast Region at the Walden Soccer Complex. The win also marked career victory No. 400 for Columbus State Head Women's Soccer Coach Jay Entlich. An incredible mark for one of the top coaches in the nation!
The victory moves Columbus State to 12-2-2 overall, while Catawba falls to 10-3-2. The Cougars entered the matchup ranked No. 1 in the Southeast Region, with Catawba sitting at No. 2.
Columbus State controlled the opening half and broke through in the 21st minute. Payton Conti found the back of the net at 20:51 for her fifth goal of the season, giving the Cougars a 1-0 advantage.
CSU carried the one-goal lead into halftime after outshooting Catawba 10-3 over the opening 45 minutes and putting five attempts on goal.
The Cougars added an insurance goal in the second half as Sophia Leal delivered at 72:10. Leal scored her first goal of the season to extend the Columbus State advantage to 2-0.
From there, the Cougar defense closed the door. Huda Sayedzada made three saves across 90 minutes as Columbus State held Catawba scoreless and secured the shutout in one of the region's biggest matchups of the season.
Columbus State finished with a 12-7 advantage in shots and a 7-3 edge in shots on goal. The Cougars also generated nine corner kicks compared to three for Catawba.
The victory extends Columbus State's unbeaten streak to 13 consecutive matches as the Cougars continue their strong run heading into the final stretch of the regular season.
INSIDE THE BOX SCORE:
-
Payton Conti: One goal, three shots, and three shots on goal.
-
Sophia Leal: One goal, two shots, and one shot on goal.
-
Huda Sayedzada: Three saves, zero goals allowed, and 90 minutes played.
-
Jada Goodman: One shot and one shot on goal.
-
Aubrey Patterson: One shot and one shot on goal.
-
Columbus State: 12 shots, seven shots on goal, nine corner kicks, and a shutout.
UP NEXT:
Your Cougars return to action Wednesday, Oct. 28, when Columbus State travels to Montevallo, Ala., to take on the University of Montevallo at Varsity Soccer Field. Kickoff is scheduled for 5 p.m. CT.
