Columbus State University Athletics

COLUMBUS, Ga. | Kendal Coreil and Elle Henschel scored less than seven minutes apart late in the second half as the No. 5 Columbus State University Women's Soccer team rallied past USC Beaufort 2-1 in the Peach Belt Conference Tournament Quarterfinals Saturday afternoon at Walden Soccer Complex.

The victory moves the top-seeded Cougars to 13-3-2 overall and sends Columbus State into the PBC semifinals against fourth-seeded Georgia College & State University.

Columbus State controlled the attacking pressure throughout the opening half, outshooting the Sand Sharks 10-3 and putting five attempts on goal, but the match remained scoreless at halftime. 

The Cougars continued to push after the break, generating 12 more shots and eight second-half corner kicks. 

USC Beaufort struck first against the run of play in the 69th minute. Kassi Martin set up Eva Craney-Barnie, who found the back of the net at 68:58 to give the Sand Sharks a 1-0 advantage. 

With their season on the line, the Cougars responded.

Payton Conti set up Coreil at 81:16, and the midfielder delivered her sixth goal of the season to pull Columbus State even at 1-1. 

CSU needed just over six more minutes to complete the comeback. Raegen Varvarigos provided the assist as Henschel found the back of the net at 87:39, giving the Cougars a 2-1 advantage with just over two minutes remaining. 

Columbus State held off USC Beaufort over the closing minutes to secure the comeback victory and advance to the PBC semifinals. 

The Cougars finished with a commanding 22-5 advantage in shots and a 9-3 edge in shots on goal. Columbus State also earned 11 corner kicks compared to two for USC Beaufort. 

INSIDE THE BOX SCORE:

• Kendal Coreil: One goal, two shots, and two shots on goal.

• Elle Henschel: One goal, two shots, and one shot on goal, including the game-winning goal at 87:39.

• Payton Conti: One assist, two shots, and one shot on goal.

• Raegen Varvarigos: One assist, two shots, and two shots on goal.

• Delaney Weatherly: One shot and one shot on goal.

• Huda Sayedzada: Two saves, one goal allowed, and 90 minutes played.

• Columbus State: 22 shots, nine shots on goal, and 11 corner kicks.

UP NEXT:

Your Cougars advance to the Peach Belt Conference Tournament semifinals Wednesday, Nov. 4, when top-seeded Columbus State hosts No. 4 seed Georgia College & State University at Walden Soccer Complex. Kickoff is scheduled for 2 p.m.