Lady Cougars Take Down Catawba
By CSU Sports Information
COLUMBUS - The Columbus State University women's soccer team snapped a three-match losing streak in style by knocking off Catawba 3-0 Wednesday afternoon. The non-conference match took place at the Walden Soccer Complex.
"It's all about focus and energy, and I feel like we had a nice wake-up call over the last three matches," said head coach Jay Entlich. "Catawba is a very well-coached team, so this was a great result for the ladies."
"There isn't anything we can do about the past" added Entlich. "We just have to turn all of our attention to the future."
It didn't take long for Columbus State (4-3) to get on the board. In the 16th minute, Kimmy May took advantage of a turnover deep in Catawba territory. May easily beat the keeper for her fourth goal of the season.
CSU had a few more looks at the net in the first half, but it wasn't until early in the second when the Lady Cougars added an insurance goal.
In the 48th minute, May won a challenge in the center of the pitch before sending it to Bre Harvey. The freshman would square up Amanda Murphy who fired a shot into the back of the net.
Columbus State continued to pressure Catawba (4-2) late into the half. With 20 minutes left in the match, Brenna Harrison added the highlight of the day. After collecting a through ball from fellow freshman Ireland Bryant, Harrison rocketed an unstoppable shot just inside the upper right crossbar to put the match to rest. In the match, Columbus State outshot the Indians 17-5, including an 11-3 margin over the final 45 minutes.
Junior goalkeeper Bria Riancho played all 90 minutes in net to collect her first shutout of the season.
Columbus State will hit the road for the first time in nearly a month traveling to take on UNC Pembroke on Saturday, Sept. 28. The match is scheduled to begin at 1:30 p.m. at the Lumbee River EMC Stadium in Pembroke, N.C.
Match Notes
• With the win, Columbus State snapped the program's longest losing streak at the Walden Soccer Complex at three.
• May's goal in the 17th minute broke a span of 316 scoreless minutes for the Lady Cougars.
• May is now tied for second in the Peach Belt Conference in goals with four.
• Amanda Murphy became the eighth different Lady Cougar to score a goal this season.
• Bre Harvey and Ireland Bryant both recorded the first assists of their career in the match.
• With the shutout, Bria Riancho now has 15 in her career.