AUGUSTA, Ga. | The Columbus State University Women's Soccer team placed nine players on the 2026 Peach Belt Conference All-Conference teams, highlighted by Ui Suzuki being named the PBC Defensive Player of the Year.

Suzuki became the third Cougar in program history to earn PBC Defensive Player of the Year honors, joining Heidi Harris in 2024 and Carley Canzoneri in 2022.

The defender started all 17 matches for Columbus State and helped anchor a Cougar defense that allowed just 20 goals and posted a 1.18 goals-against average. CSU recorded five shutouts during the season, including three in conference play, while allowing a league-low-tying nine goals against PBC opponents. Suzuki also contributed offensively with one goal and one assist for three points.

Suzuki was one of seven Cougars selected to the All-PBC First Team, joining forwards Shania Wegesend and Payton Conti, midfielders Mia Robinson and Skye Tumbelty, defender Kelsey Croft and goalkeeper Huda Sayedzada.

Wegesend finished the regular season tied for the team lead with 18 points after scoring eight goals and adding two assists. Robinson also recorded 18 points with seven goals and four assists, while Conti totaled five goals and five assists for 15 points.

Tumbelty recorded three goals and one assist, while Croft added two goals and one assist from the back line. Sayedzada posted an 8-1-1 record in goal with a 0.71 goals-against average, 30 saves and an .811 save percentage.

Kendal Coreil and Sophia Leal earned Second Team All-PBC honors. Coreil finished the season with five goals and three assists for 13 points, while Leal recorded one goal and three assists for five points.

Columbus State finished the regular season 12-3-2 overall and went unbeaten in Peach Belt Conference play at 7-0-2. The Cougars scored 48 goals while allowing 20 and finished with five shutouts.

PBC DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE YEAR:
Ui Suzuki

ALL-PBC FIRST TEAM:
F – Shania Wegesend
F – Payton Conti
M – Mia Robinson
M – Skye Tumbelty
D – Kelsey Croft
D – Ui Suzuki
GK – Huda Sayedzada

ALL-PBC SECOND TEAM:
F – Kendal Coreil
M – Sophia Leal