Lady Cougars Down Albany State
By CSU
ALBANY, Ga. - The Columbus State University women's soccer team scored a pair of goals in each half to defeat Albany State 4-1 on Wednesday. The Peach Belt Conference match took place at the ASU Soccer Field in Albany, Ga.
Senior Riley Clark continued to play a pivotal role in Columbus State's offensive attack. The senior scored a pair of goals while recording assists on the others. She has now scored in eight straight matches to set a program record.
"It took us a while to settle in today, but I thought we played well over the first half and the early part of the second," commented head coach Jay Entlich. "Down the stretch, we got sloppy, and we have to clean that up in order to be a championship caliber team."
Columbus State (9-6, 4-4 PBC) dominated the first half outshooting the Golden Rams 14-1. However, it did take until the 23rd minute for the Lady Cougars to capitalize. On a failed clearance following a cross, the ASU defense couldn't regroup before Clark hammered home a goal.
Less than 10 minutes later, a nice build-up by CSU led to a Brenna Harrison goal. Rachael Sweigard flicked a pass to Clark, who then found Harrison inside the box. The freshman was able to get enough power on the shot off a deflection from the goalkeeper to score her third goal of the season.
Coming out of the break, it was Clark again who jumpedstarted the offense. In the 49th minute, the senior took on four defenders alone and was easily able to put the shot away. Eleven minutes later, Clark started a breakaway and put a perfect pass on the foot of Kimmy May. May easily defeated the goalkeeper for Columbus State's final tally.
Albany State's (3-8, 1-6) lone goal came late in the 89th minute.
In the match, Columbus State outshot the Golden Rams 20-8.
Sara Halilhodzic continued to play well for the Lady Cougars in net making one save over the first half. With the victory, she improves to 3-1 on the season. Bria Riancho was busy over the final 45 minutes making six saves.
Columbus State will stay on the road for a Saturday contest against Georgia College. Kickoff is scheduled for 3 p.m. at Bobcat Field in Milledgeville, Ga.
Match Notes
• Columbus State extends its longest winning streak of the season to five.
• The previous record for consecutive matches with a goal was seven. Olivia Jarrell (2018) and Stephanie Lowery (2010) both accomplished the feat.
• In her eight-match scoring streak, Riley Clark has tallied 11 goals. She has also dished out two assists in each of the past two contests.
• Clark becomes just the fifth player in Peach Belt Conference history to reach the 50 career goal mark.
• Columbus State's seven saves were a season-high.
• Albany State's late goal snapped a span of 335 scoreless minutes played by the CSU defense.