COLUMBUS, Ga. – Columbus State University's path to a third consecutive Peach Belt Conference Tournament Championship was anything but familiar.
After finishing third in the 2025 PBC standings, the Cougars defeated USC Aiken 4-0 at home before earning consecutive road victories over second-seeded Lander and top-seeded North Georgia to capture another conference title.
"I feel like a lot of people counted us out since we finished third in the PBC standings and had to go on the road to win back-to-back games against No. 1 and No. 2 in the PBC," said head women's soccer coach Jay Entlich. "We had not had to do something like that in a very long time."
The championship run followed a difficult opening stretch in which CSU lost several experienced players to injuries and began the season 2-3.
"In 2025, we started out poorly and had to figure out some things to get the ship pointed in the right direction," Entlich said.
Once the Cougars found their direction, they thrived. Columbus State won 10 of its final 12 matches, including eight consecutive victories on its way to the PBC title. Freshman Mia Robinson scored in the 60th minute of the championship match, while goalkeeper and Tournament MVP Heidi Harris made seven saves to secure a 1-0 victory over North Georgia.
"My favorite moment was winning the Peach Belt Conference Tournament Championship against North Georgia," senior defender/midfielder Kelsey Croft said. "That victory meant so much because we weren't expected to win, yet every player stepped up and gave everything they had to help us earn the title."
Junior midfielder Sophia Leal also pointed to the championship celebration as her favorite memory.
"We had a rough start to the season and had to go on the road for the tournament, but we fought and worked hard every day," Leal said. "Celebrating on the field afterward with all my best friends was the best feeling."
CSU finished 2025 with a 14-6-1 overall record and an 8-2 mark in conference play. The Cougars scored 58 goals while allowing only 15 across 21 matches. The season ended with a 1-0 loss to Lenoir-Rhyne in the opening round of the NCAA Division II Tournament, leaving the program hungry for more.
"To finish third in the regular season and then get beaten by a very talented Lenoir-Rhyne team in the first round of the NCAA Tournament ultimately proved to us that we still have a long way to go," Entlich said.
The championship season also produced another collection of individual honors. Sarah Hungerford earned United Soccer Coaches Second Team All-America and First Team Scholar All-America honors, while Kelsey Croft was named a Second Team Scholar All-American. Five Cougars received United Soccer Coaches All-Southeast Region honors, while seven earned All-PBC recognition.
Croft and Leal now lead an accomplished returning group into 2026. Croft started all 21 matches and led CSU's field players with 1,663 minutes last season, earning First Team All-PBC and United Soccer Coaches Second Team Scholar All-America honors. Leal appeared in all 21 matches, made 16 starts, and earned First Team All-PBC and All-Southeast Region Second Team recognition.
"Both players stayed around all summer to work and train and have really grown into leadership-type players," Entlich said. "Kelsey has had three great seasons for us and is still hungry to make it further. Sophia has the ability to play multiple positions, which makes her very versatile."
The Cougars began preparing for the upcoming season during a nine-match spring that included games against Clemson, Auburn, Georgia State, and South Alabama. CSU also traveled to the United Kingdom and competed against three professional teams before welcoming 10 newcomers to the program.
"What excites me most about the 2026 team is the opportunity for growth," Croft said. "We lost a lot of great players after last season, but I have full confidence in both our returning players and newcomers to step into those roles and succeed."
The 2026 regular season begins on Thursday, Aug. 27, when Columbus State hosts Florida Southern at 7 p.m. at the Walden Soccer Complex. The 17-match schedule includes eight home contests and a Sept. 19 return trip to Lenoir-Rhyne.
As CSU prepares to pursue a fourth consecutive PBC Tournament title, Entlich wants the team's identity to be rooted in character, discipline, and unity.
"We want our players to see the importance of discipline and taking care of each other," Entlich said. "We want them to have a sense of unity and care more about the team than themselves."
For a program carrying three consecutive conference tournament championships into a new season, the standard remains unchanged.
"Our goal is always to win a national championship," Leal said. "I am hoping this is the year we can do it."
