COLUMBUS, Ga. | The No. 1-seeded Columbus State University Women's Soccer team will open NCAA Southeast Regional play against Peach Belt Conference opponent Flagler Friday (Nov. 13) afternoon at the Walden Soccer Complex. Kickoff is set for 1 PM. 

The Cougars enter the NCAA Division II Women's Soccer Championship at 15-3-2 after winning the PBC regular-season title and capturing their fourth consecutive PBC Tournament championship. Columbus State defeated North Georgia 2-1 in the championship match at the Walden Soccer Complex on Nov. 7. 

Flagler enters the regional at 7-6-5 after earning the No. 8 seed in the Southeast Region. The Saints finished 5-2-2 in conference play. 

A Familiar Opponent:

Friday's match is a rematch of the teams' Sept. 26 meeting in St. Augustine, Florida, which ended in a 2-2 draw. Flagler scored twice in the first half, but Columbus State rallied with two goals from senior Kendal Coreil in the final 16 minutes. 

Coreil scored in the 74th minute off an assist from Brianna Nguyen, then equalized in the 85th minute with help from Gianna Musci. The Cougars outshot Flagler 16-11 and held an 11-4 advantage in shots on goal. 

The Cougars:

Columbus State has scored 56 goals in 20 matches, averaging 2.80 per game, and has outshot its opponents 366-174. The Cougars have also earned 172 corner kicks and allowed 22 goals. 

Senior Shania Wegesend leads the team with nine goals and 20 points, including five game-winning goals. Mia Robinson has seven goals and 18 points, while Payton Conti and Coreil have each recorded 17 points. Conti leads the Cougars with seven assists. 

In goal, senior Huda Sayedzada has posted a 0.71 goals-against average with 39 saves and an .813 save percentage. 

The Saints:

Flagler has scored 23 goals this season and averages 9.6 shots per game. Brooke Rienecker leads the Saints with six goals, while Phoebe Davidson and Ella Gembicki have each contributed 10 points. Davidson leads the team with four assists. 

The Saints have allowed 27 goals across 18 matches. Goalkeeper Irina Barron-Gomez has recorded 87 saves and a 1.50 goals-against average. 

Up Next:

The winner advances to Sunday (Nov. 15) afternoon's second round at the Walden Soccer Complex, where it will face the winner of the Friday morning Catawba–UNC Pembroke match. Kickoff is scheduled for 1 PM.