HICKORY, N.C. | Mia Robinson recorded a hat trick as the Columbus State University Women's Soccer team erupted for four second-half goals to defeat Lenoir-Rhyne University 4-1 Saturday afternoon at the Moretz Sports Athletic Complex. The Cougars improved to 5-2-1 overall with the road victory, while Lenoir-Rhyne fell to 3-4-0. Columbus State flipped the result from last season, when Lenoir-Rhyne ended CSU's 2025 campaign with a 1-0 victory in the opening round of the NCAA Division II Tournament.
Neither side found the back of the net through the opening 45 minutes, with the teams entering halftime scoreless. Columbus State took four shots in the first half, while Huda Sayedzada turned away all four of Lenoir-Rhyne's shots on goal.
Robinson broke the deadlock in the 53rd minute, finding the back of the net at 52:15 to put the Cougars ahead 1-0.
Just over six minutes later, Sarah Dennis doubled the advantage with her first goal of the season. Brianna Nguyen collected the assist on the goal at 58:20 as CSU pushed its lead to 2-0.
Robinson took over again late in the second half. The forward scored her second goal of the match at 77:41 off an assist from Payton Conti before completing the hat trick just 43 seconds later at 78:24 to give Columbus State a commanding 4-0 advantage.
Lenoir-Rhyne broke through in the 88th minute when Mya Jarvis scored off an assist from Audrey McCann, but the Cougars closed out the final minutes to secure the 4-1 road victory.
"I was really proud of the way our group played today," Head Women's Soccer Coach Jay Entlich said. "We stayed patient, continued to create opportunities, and did a great job finishing our chances in the second half. Mia had a tremendous performance, but this was a complete team effort on the road."
Robinson finished the afternoon with three goals on five shots, placing four attempts on frame. Sayedzada played all 90 minutes in goal and recorded eight saves.
Inside the Box Score:
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Robinson recorded her first hat trick of the season, scoring all three goals in the second half.
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Dennis scored her first goal of the season in the 59th minute.
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Nguyen and Conti each recorded an assist.
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Robinson led the Cougars with five shots and four shots on goal.
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Columbus State placed nine of its 14 shots on goal.
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Sayedzada finished with eight saves in 90 minutes.
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All four CSU goals came in the second half.
UP NEXT:
The Cougars return home Wednesday (Sept. 23) for Sea of Red against North Georgia at the Walden Soccer Complex. Kickoff is set for 5 p.m.
