May's PK Sends Lady Cougars to PBC Tournament Semifinals
By CSU Sports Information
COLUMBUS - Kimmy May calmly nailed a penalty kick in the 69th minute to give fourth-seeded Columbus State a 1-0 victory over fifth-seeded Georgia College in the Peach Belt Conference Tournament Quarterfinals on Tuesday. The match took place at the Walden Soccer Complex in Columbus.
With the victory, Columbus State will take on top-seeded and third-ranked Flagler in the PBC Tournament Semifinals on Friday, Nov. 14 in Evans, Ga. Kickoff time is set for 11 a.m. at Blanchard Woods Park.
CSU (13-6-0) dominated the opening 45 minutes of play outshooting the Bobcats 12-0, but couldn't find the back of the net. In the final minute of the first half, the Lady Cougars would earn their first penalty kick of the match. However, GC goalkeeper Kate Richardson was up for the challenge denying Riley Clark of the go-ahead goal.
With the cold and windy conditions worsening throughout the game, the Lady Cougars had a tougher time moving the ball up the field in the second half.
Following a Georgia College shot in the 68th minute, CSU went for the counter-attack. With the ball at the far end of the box, May drew a foul and then was tabbed as the shooter. Stepping to the line, the junior gave Richardson no chance at the save putting the Lady Cougars in front.
Georgia College (6-10-2) didn't go down easy though. Over the final 15-plus minutes, the Bobcats had three good opportunities for the equalizer. Bria Riancho had to make a save in the 82nd minute while GC's final chance came in the 89th minute as Cassie Balzano sent a shot just over the crossbar.
In the match, CSU outshot the Bobcats 16-5 and held an 8-1 corner kick advantage.
"Once you get to this point of the season, every match is a grind," commented head coach Jay Entlich. "Give our girls credit tonight, we played well over the 90 minutes in very tough conditions."
"Friday is a short turnaround, but this is what you prepare for all year long."
Match Notes
• With the win, Columbus State advances to the PBC Tournament Semifinals for the 10th consecutive season.
• The Lady Cougars also extended their winning streak to nine matches.
• CSU improves to 32-6-2 all-time in PBC Tournament play. In Columbus, the Lady Cougars are now 18-2-1 and have won 10 straight.
• It was the first time since Sept. 21 that Riley Clark failed to record a point for CSU. Her 11-match point streak was the longest in program history.
• Junior Bria Riancho posted her third straight shutout with Columbus State picking up its sixth in its previous seven matches.
• Riancho now has 18 career shutouts which are the third most in CSU history.
• Columbus State hasn't allowed a goal in 361 minutes of match time.